BAE-Saudi fraud inquiry
Friday, 11 Apr 2008 09:23
BAE Systems paid Saudia Arabia in return for arms deals
Gordon Brown is under pressure to reopen the inquiry into secret payments made from BAE Systems to Saudi Arabia to guarantee arms deals.
Yesterday the high court was highly critical of Tony Blair's decision to pressure the Serious Fraud Office to abandon its long-running investigation.
Judges rejected the previous prime minister's claims abandoning the probe had been required for security reasons and said it was unlawful for the Saudis to blackmail the UK.
Mr Blair claimed at the time the UK would have been unable to access vital terror intelligence if the investigation had continued.
Ministers now have two weeks before the high court reconvenes to decide whether to allow the inquiry to be reopened.
Mr Brown is under pressure from backbench MPs to continue the probe but there has so far been a marked silence from Downing Street and Whitehall.
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