The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) acted unlawfully in dropping an investigation into alleged bribery in an arms deal between BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia, the high court ruled today.
In a stunning victory for the activist groups that launched the legal challenge, the two judges said Tony Blair’s government and the SFO caved in too readily to threats by Saudi Arabia over intelligence sharing and trade.
Lord Justice Moses and Justice Sullivan, using some scathing language, rejected the SFO’s argument that it was powerless to resist the Saudi threats.
“So bleak a picture of the impotence of the law invites at least dismay, if not outrage,” they said.
“Had such a threat been made by one who was subject to the criminal law of this country, he would risk being charged with an attempt to pervert the course of justice.”
In my learn’d opinion, the judges came to the right decision. Hooray.
Later in the article:
The judges said the SFO decision was unlawful but made no formal orders for further action – something they will consider at a further hearing. It is believed the most likely course will be that the SFO will have to reconsider its decision.
In a brief statement, the SFO said it was “carefully considering the implications of the judgment and the way forward”.
There should be only one course of action for the SFO to take. That should be to reopen the investigation.
Along with prosecuting Blair for being a pussy and open a waranty for the arrest of the Saudi who made the threat, ready for when he comes to see how his aeroplanes are doing.
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