| QUOTE |
| SFO to rule on BAE Systems case The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is expected to announce on Thursday whether it wishes to prosecute BAE Systems over alleged bribery. The case refers to allegations that the UK defence giant paid out millions of pounds in order to win contracts from a number of countries. BAE has always strenuously denied any suggestion of wrongdoing. A separate investigation into BAE by the SFO was dropped in 2007 after it said national security was at risk. In that case the SFO ended its investigation into a giant 1980s arms deal BAE secured from Saudi Arabia. 'Explosive investigation' The latest SFO investigations are into contracts BAE won from countries including Tanzania, the Czech Republic, Romania and South Africa. If it does decide it wishes to bring criminal proceedings against BAE, the final decision on whether to proceed would still have to be made by the Attorney General Baroness Scotland. BBC business editor Robert Peston said the continuing SFO probe into BAE was "the most explosive investigation into a British company that I have ever encountered". He said the SFO was continuing to put pressure on BAE to admit limited responsibility and pay a fine, and that he still thought "there is a probability that the two sides will reach agreement". Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/8284073.stm Published: 2009/09/30 21:26:53 GMT |
