Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has predicted widespread support for a public protest to be held tomorrow at the AGM of BAE Systems. The demonstration will call for the reopening of a corruption inquiry into BAE’s arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Demonstrators will insist that Government intervention to end the inquiry is a blatant example of BAE’s influence over ministers. Questions on these issues will also be raised by shareholders inside the AGM.
The demonstration, which will be strictly nonviolent, will begin at 10.30am tomorrow (9th May) outside the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London. The BAE AGM will begin in the Centre at 11.00am.
CAAT spokesperson Symon Hill said:
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. As a result, public support is increasing every day for CAAT’s campaign to have the inquiry reopened.
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Notes
- Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade.
- On 14th December 2006, the Serious Fraud Office and the Government announced that they were suspending an investigation into alleged corruption by BAE Systems in its arms deals with Saudi Arabia. CAAT and the Corner House have lodged grounds for a judicial review of this decision.
- This demonstration is organised by CAAT as part of its Control BAE campaign, which calls for the Saudi corruption inquiry to be reopened.
- CAAT spokespeople are available for interview before, during or after the AGM.
- Photographs of the demonstration will be available on request. Photographs of previous CAAT protests against the influence of BAE can be found at /SFOjudicialreview-pics.php. Media are welcome to use these photographs, if attributed to CAAT.
Media Contact
Symon Hill
020 7281 0297 or 07990 673232
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