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Welcome for SFO investigation - EU must follow |
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Wednesday, 17 January 2007 |
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Scottish National Party MEP Alyn Smith has today welcomed the decision of the OECD to investigate the decision to drop the serious Fraud Office investigation into the Al Yamamah deal and called on the European Union to do the same.
Mr Smith reported the decision of the UK government to drop the Serious Fraud Office investigation to the European Commission at the end of December.
Speaking about the inquiry Mr Smith said;
"I am pleased to see the OECD taking action, however I had hoped to see the EU take a similar path.
"The appearance of corruption can not be tolerated and must be explained. So far the Prime Minister has failed to give any credible explanation.
"I will be writing again to Commissioner's Mandleson and Frattini and hope that they will follow the OECD's lead."
NOTE
Mr Smith's letter to European Commissioner's Mandleson and Frattini is below.
24th December 2006
Dear Commissioner Frattini and Mandelson
Investigation into Al Yamamah arms deal
I write to request that your services investigate the potential impact of the decision of the UK Serious Fraud Office and Attorney General to discontinue the investigation into the Al Yamamah arms deal as I believe this matter has particular European impacts which must be considered.
The Attorney General of the UK on 14th December 2006 announced that the Serious Fraud Office investigation into the Al Yamamah arms deal between the UK government and the government of Saudi Arabia was to be discontinued.
The decision to do so was, according to the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, taken on the basis of public interest and the likelihood of securing any prosecutions.
This decision was made at a time when future deals between the UK government and Saudi Arabia for weapons, in particular the Eurofighter, where in danger of cancellation by the government of Saudi Arabia, and as other EU countries - reportedly France and Sweden - were entering negotiations to fulfil Saudi Arabia's requests. The legal and moral position of the UK government in this instance is to be questioned.
Firstly if the commercial considerations of losing potential contracts to Sweden and France led in any way to the decision to discontinue the investigation then there are serious ramifications for intra-community competition and for the trading status of the EU with her external partners as the requirements of honesty and trust in trading relationships and within the single market would clearly be compromised.
Secondly the decision to end this investigation goes against the rule of law and the continuing efforts of the European Union, OECD and other international bodies to clamp down on corruption and the appearance of corruption.
The European Union enforces standards of government on new member states. I do not believe that events of this kind in new member states or applicant countries could be condoned by the European Commission.
Commission services in both the Directorates for Justice and Trade should consider the actions of the UK government and all other parties involved in this case in order to prevent any negative impact on the European Union's position both as a trading organisation and as a leader in the fight against corruption.
Whilst I make no allegation against the UK Government, BAE systems or any other party to the deal and subsequent investigation there is suspicion around this matter that must be clarified in the interests of good governance and the rule of law.
I look forward to a swift response on this matter and a detailed investigation by your services.
Yours sincerely
Alyn Smith MEP (Scotland)
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