Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is calling for determined action to protect public decision-making from the inappropriate, behind-the-scenes influence of arms companies.
The recent revelations [2] of recruitment by arms companies of former military personnel confirm that the revolving door
is in full swing, that its main purpose is to apply inappropriate influence, and that it acts for vested interests and against the public good.
The personal approaches of former civil servants, ministers and military personnel are a key element of the insidious political influence being wielded by arms companies. This influence actively undermines rigorous decision making. In this situation it is unsurprising that arms manufacturers and exporters have enjoyed disproportionate financial and political support from successive UK governments.
Kaye Stearman of CAAT said:
The revelation that senior ex-military figures are willing to wield inappropriate influence for arms companies is shocking, but it hardly comes as a surprise. What we have seen is simply a blatant exposé of what we know goes on all the time: insidious political influence being wielded by arms companies and undermining the public interest.
There seems little doubt that this is one reason why military spending has been protected from the worst of the cuts. We urgently need to end arms companies’ power within Whitehall to create the space for spending priorities to be decided for the public good.
CAAT is calling for immediate changes as a first step towards curbing the political influence of arms companies:
- a five-year ban on ministers and government officials working for arms companies they have had direct dealings with in the last two years of their public office.
- a five-year ban on ministers and government officials making representations to any department or individual they have had direct dealings with in the last two years of their service.
- a permanent ban on ministers and government officials changing sides in any ongoing proceedings in which they have been involved.
ENDS
For further information please contact CAAT’s Media Coordinator, Kaye Stearman on 020 7281 0297 or mobile 07990 673232 or email media(at)caat·org·uk.
Notes
- Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) in the UK works to end the international arms trade. The arms business has a devastating impact on human rights and society and damages economic development. Large-scale military procurement and arms exports only reinforce a militaristic approach to international problems. Around 75% of CAAT’s income is raised from individual supporters. In 2012, CAAT was awarded a Right Livelihood Award, the
alternative Nobel Prize
for its “innovative and effective campaigning against the arms trade. - The publication of undercover Investigations by the Sunday Times of 14 October 2012 [paywall], whereby four of the UK’s former highest ranking military chiefs agreed to act on behalf of a (non-existent) South Korean arms company in return for hefty payments (two others boasted of
old friends
in the MoD who would help in a lobbying campaign), and of Freedom of Information requests by The Guardian of 15 October 2012, revealing that over 3,500 senior military officers and Ministry of Defence officials took jobs with arms companies between 1996 and 2012. - ACOBA, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments considers appointments that former Ministers, senior civil servants and other Crown servants wish to take up on leaving government. The Public Administration Select Committee said in July that ACOBA
lacks adequate powers and resources; does not have appropriate membership for its function; and should be abolished.
Full report here. - More information on Arms company political influence and the revolving door here.
