U.K. laws fail to halt bribery abroad, OECD finds Oct 18, 2008
The Campaign Against Arms Trade, which was one of two lobby groups that initiated the legal action against the Serious Fraud Office's decision to drop the BAE-Saudi inquiry, said the OECD report vindicated its challenge. The fraud office had investigated claims that BAE Systems, one of the world's biggest arms makers, ran a slush fund of 60 million, or $103 million, for Saudi officials to attract contracts. (International Herald Tribune)
UK Law Lords uphold BAE inquiry decision Jul 31, 2008
The Campaign Against Arms Trade and social lobby group Corner House had won an earlier decision in the High Court, where judges sharply criticized the agency, the British government and the Saudi royal family, and said the agency acted illegally in its decision to drop the inquiry. U.S. and Swiss authorities are still running their own investigations into allegations that -- one of the world's largest arms makers -- ran a multimillion dollar "slush fund" to woo Saudi officials as part of the... (CNN -- World)
House of Lords overturns ruling in BAE corruption inquiry Jul 30, 2008
Two advocacy groups opposed to the arms trade, Campaign Against Arms Trade and Corner House, started the court action. Wardle didn't consider a treaty obligation by Britain to prosecute corruption cases, the groups said. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
SFO defends ending Saudi probe Jul 8, 2008
According to the Campaign Against Arms Trade and the Corner House, who had both campaigned for a judicial review of the decision, the director of the SFO had failed to convince the court that he had done all in his power to resist the Saudi threat and uphold the rule of law. They believe the SFO's appeal will be unsuccessful. (BBC News -- Africa)
SFO broke law on BAE, Law Lords told Jul 8, 2008
The Campaign Against Arms Trade and The Corner House, the two anti-arms trade groups that persuaded the High Court in April that Mr Wardle had acted illegally, began their case rebutting the SFO's arguments yesterday. Tomorrow the lobby groups will present a fresh witness statement by a CAAT researcher that is expected to reiterate claims made in April that Saudi Arabia's Prince Bandar - who is alleged to have received bribes from BAE - personally lobbied the British Government to drop the case. (Telegraph.co.uk)
Law Lords told that US and Swiss investigations continue as they consider UK halt to BAE probe Jul 8, 2008
The High Court ruling was the result of a legal challenge to the SFO's decision by anti-corruption lobby groups the Campaign Against Arms Trade and The Corner House, which wanted to expose public issues surrounding the case ... The Campaign Against Arms Trade and The Corner House contend that the SFO's decision unlawfully breached that convention after it was misinterpreted, and that the agency failed to consider alternative ways of dealing with the problem. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Evangelist gay sex allegation causes Republican headache Jun 19, 2008
campaign against arms trade ... campaign against arms trade. (Yahoo News -- Church-State Issues)
Wimbledon confirm move to prize money equality Jun 17, 2008
Women to receive same rewards as men for first time. Thursday February 22 2007. (Yahoo News -- Women's Issues)
Son who burgled mother jailed Jun 6, 2008
A disgruntled son who burgled his mother's home and stole 50,000 of goods after she criticised him for forgetting her birthday was sentenced yesterday to nine months in a young offenders' institution. Thomas Bradley, 19, stormed out of the family home in Bournemouth but later returned with a bin liner while his mother, Susan Taylor, and stepfather Peter were at work. (guardian.co.uk)
Paisley and McGuinness mark new era May 28, 2008
Northern Ireland's first minister, Ian Paisley, and the deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, smile after being sworn in at Stormont. Photograph: Paul Faith/AP. (Yahoo News -- Northern Ireland Conflict)
Torture complaint filed against British agent May 27, 2008
campaign against arms trade. north london. (Yahoo News -- Greece)
Calls to reopen Saudi arms probe Apr 12, 2008
The High Court case was brought by Corner House and the Campaign Against Arms Trade, who said the SFO decision was influenced by government concerns about trade and diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia. Serious damage. (BBC News -- Africa)
Pressure on PM over arms deal Apr 11, 2008
The legal challenge had been made by Corner House and the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), who said the SFO decision was influenced by government concerns about trade and diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia. The SFO said national security would have been undermined by the inquiry. (BBC News -- UK)
BAE Arms Probe: Brown Feeling The Heat Apr 11, 2008
The two groups which brought the case, Corner House and the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), said the SFO decision was influenced by government concerns about trade and diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia. Both are insisting the judgment means it must reopen its investigation immediately. (Sky News)
Ending Saudi deal probe 'unlawful' Apr 11, 2008
But the judges on Thursday allowed a legal challenge to go ahead by the Corner House Research Group and the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CATT), over the SFO's handling of the case. The campaign groups say there was "very large scale bribery" of senior Saudi Arabian officials by BAE Systems over military aircraft deals, known as the Al Yamamah contracts. (Aljazeera.Net)
Britain reprimanded for dropping Saudi arms deal inquiry Apr 11, 2008
The ruling was a clear victory for a pressure group, Campaign Against Arms Trade, and the Corner House, a social justice advocacy group, which had sought the judicial review and claimed the government acted against the law when it asked the fraud office to stop looking into allegations that BAE paid bribes to Saudi Arabian officials in exchange for arms deals. Richard Stein a lawyer from the firm representing the two groups, told a press conference that the ruling was a "landmark judgment.". (International Herald Tribune)
Judges rule in Saudi arms inquiry Apr 10, 2008
The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), which sought permission for the judicial review, argued that the decision was illegal under the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD's) Anti-Bribery Convention. "This is expressly forbidden under Article 5, which rules out the termination of corruption investigations on grounds other than the merits of the case", CAAT said in a statement at the time of the hearing. (BBC News -- UK)
U.K. court rules BAE investigation was terminated illegally Apr 10, 2008
That decision was challenged by the Campaign Against Arms Trade and social lobby group Corner House ... The judges said they relied on claims by Corner House and Campaign Against Arms Trade, based on media reports, that the threat to drop the Typhoon contract was made directly by Prince Bandar to Blair's chief of staff, Jonathan Powell. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
British High Court: Saudi probe should have continued Apr 10, 2008
The government's decision was challenged by the Campaign Against Arms Trade and social lobby group Corner House. The SFO was investigating allegations that BAE a leading global defense and aerospace company had a multimillion pound (dollar) "slush fund" offering sweeteners to officials from Saudi Arabia in return for lucrative contracts. (USA Today -- News)
BAE Systems full-year profit down 43 percent Feb 21, 2008
Two judges are are to deliver a judgement later in a judicial review brought by the Campaign Against Arms Trade and anti-corruption group Corner House. If the two judges find the Serious Fraud Office's decision was not legal, they can order it to reconsider its decision. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Judges to rule on BAE challenge Feb 16, 2008
Corner House and Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) want the decision to quash the investigation to be overturned. If this caused another 7/7 how could we say that our investigation. (BBC News -- UK)
Britain opens inquiry on Saudi arms deal Feb 15, 2008
At the judicial review Thursday, the Campaign Against Arms Trade and The Corner House, an anti-bribery group, claimed the government acted unlawfully in December 2006 when it told the fraud office to stop looking into alleged bribes paid by BAE to Saudi Arabian officials in exchange for arms deals. Dinah Rose, a lawyer representing the two groups, said new documents showed BAE Systems wrote to the Attorney General confidentially to urge him to halt the investigation for commercial and diplomatic... (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Niger Delta crisis on UN trade treaty agenda Feb 15, 2008
Twenty-eight delegates from every continent will sit on the "Group of Governmental Experts in New York, where they will start their first discussions on a global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Hundreds of non-governmental organisations in Control Arms, according to Innocent Adjenughure, National Coordinator, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) Network, Nigeria, have been campaigning since 2003 for a treaty which would prohibit arms transfers that have been fueling conflict, poverty and serious human... (Guardian News, Nigeria)
BAE fraud case hearing to start Feb 14, 2008
Campaigning groups Corner House Research and the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) will try to prove in court that hopes of winning a huge new arms contract from Saudi Arabia influenced officials. No justification. (BBC News -- UK)
UK to review Saudi fraud decision Nov 10, 2007
Corner House Research and the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) had asked for permission to seek a judicial review. They want to contest the Serious Fraud Office's decision last year to stop investigations into whether BAE gave money to Saudi officials in the 1980s. (BBC News -- Africa)
BAE Saudi Bribery Probe Dropped by Prosecutor to Be Reviewed by High Court Nov 10, 2007
Today's case was brought by two pressure groups, Campaign Against Arms Trade and Corner House, which claim SFO Director Robert Wardle didn't take into account a treaty obligation by Britain to prosecute corruption cases. They won the right for what is termed a judicial review. (Bloomberg -- UK)
UK court to hear BAE challenge Nov 10, 2007
However, lawyers for the Campaign Against Arms Trade (Caat) and the anti-corruption group, Corner House Research, have now argued that the decision to stop the inquiry was unlawful under the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) anti-bribery treaty. Eurofighter deal. (Aljazeera.Net)
U.K.-Saudi arms deal gets renewed scrutiny Nov 10, 2007
Two groups, Corner House Research and the Campaign Against Arms Trade, made the plea for the review. Corner House said the review was likely to last two days and be held in the winter. (International Herald Tribune)
Anti-corruption group wins hearing on suit challenging end of BAE-Saudi probe Nov 9, 2007
Lawyers for the Campaign Against Arms Trade argued that the decision to stop the inquiry was unlawful under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's anti-bribery convention. Then Prime Minister Tony Blair had taken responsibility for the decision, saying the investigation threatened national security interests. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Groups win bribery probe challenge Nov 9, 2007
Corner House Research, a group that campaigns for enforcement of the law in overseas corruption offences, and the Campaign Against Arms Trade were both given permission to seek judicial review. Lord Justice Moses, sitting with Mr Justice Irwin, said "matters of concern and public importance" had been raised and the challenge "cries out for a hearing". (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
BAE chief's retirement Oct 17, 2007
The anti-weapons group Campaign Against Arms Trade is trying to bring a judicial review of the SFO's axing of the Al Yamamah investigation. Meanwhile, Lord Woolf, employed by BAE to review its ethics, has recently sent out letters to various parties asking for their views on BAE's business methods. (Telegraph.co.uk)
Protesters arrested at arms fair Sep 13, 2007
Further disruption is expected later when pressure group Campaign Against Arms Trade holds a demonstration ... As well as the Campaign against Arms Trade protest, other campaigners have threatened to try to disrupt the event using "direct action". (BBC News -- Business)
Leg irons row sees companies thrown out of arms fair Sep 12, 2007
Scores of demonstrators, with drums and trumpets, some from the Campaign Against Arms Trade, marched to the exhibition's site. A group of up to 20 protesters taking part in a sit-in outside the Docklands' ExCel centre were arrested on suspicion of a breach of the peace. (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
Defence firms face bribery probe Jul 8, 2007
The news comes as the pressure group Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) publishes figures showing that 75 local authority funds have a total of 311m invested in BAE.. CAAT made requests under Freedom of Information rules for details of investments in BAE at the end of December last year from all of the UK's local authority pension funds. (Guardian Unlimited)
Swiss confirm BAE inquiry May 16, 2007
"It shows just how widespread the outrage is at the decision" by the British government to suspend its inquiry of BAE's Saudi contracts, said Symon Hill, a spokesman for Campaign Against Arms Trade, which has filed a court challenge to the decision to scrap the inquiry. "It proves how out of step the U.K. government is with international opinion with regard to BAE.". (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Barouski: Mining in Congo May 16, 2007
27 BAE Systems, Campaign Against Arms Trade. Accessed 12 February, 2006. (Zmag.org)
What they said: reaction in quotes May 11, 2007
Symon Hill, spokesman for the Campaign Against Arms Trade "Tony Blair's Labour government came to power promising an ethical foreign policy. Ten years later, he leaves office mired in blood and sleaze. Blair's devotion to BAE's interests will not be forgotten. His decision to curtail the BAE corruption inquiry is likely to become a classic case study of political interference in a criminal investigation.". More on Tony Blair. (Guardian Unlimited)
BAE to face protests over dropped Saudi arms inquiry May 9, 2007
Protesters under the umbrella of the Campaign Against Arms Trade will lobby the meeting to call for the inquiry to be reopened. "The decision to curtail the Saudi corruption inquiry has shocked people from all walks of life. They object to BAE's excessive and undemocratic influence within government," said a campaign spokesman, Symon Hill. (Guardian Unlimited)
OECD raises pressure on Britain over the ending of a bribery inquiry Mar 15, 2007
Two anti-arms groups the Campaign Against Arms Trade and the Corner House have already started a legal challenge against the government's decision to drop the inquiry. Laurence Cockcroft, chairman in Britain of Transparency International, a global anti-corruption group, said the investigation was unlikely to be reopened because it would require "a major political climb-down by the prime minister.". (International Herald Tribune -- Business Asia)
Tuesday newspaper round-up: BSkyB, BAE, McAlpine Feb 27, 2007
BAE Systems, the weapons manufacturer, has been ordered by the High Court to disclose how it obtained "extremely confidential" information on the protest group Campaign Against Arms Trade, reports the Independent. CAAT plans to force a judicial review of the Government's highly controversial decision, taken in December, to order the Serious Fraud Office to drop an investigation into claims that BAE paid bribes in Saudi Arabia. (ShareCast)
'Explain how you got this email,' judge rebukes BAE Feb 27, 2007
BAE was taken to court by the anti-arms group Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) after the company admitted it had received an email from the campaigning group's lawyers about the planned challenge to the dropping of the investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. CAAT said it would seek a judicial review after the Government's statement that if the SFO continued investigating BAE's alleged corruption involving the 40bn al-Yamamah contract with Saudi Arabia it would threaten national security. (Telegraph.co.uk)
- George Monbiot Feb 13, 2007
This week, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) hopes to obtain a court order against BAE. The order would allow it to discover how the arms company obtained one of its confidential documents. CAAT instructed its lawyers, Leigh Day o seek a judicial review of the government's decision to drop the corruption case against BAE, which is alleged to have paid massive bribes to members of the Saudi royal family. (Guardian Unlimited)
