News

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has welcomed reports that the Government plans to close down the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO), a unit of the Ministry of Defence whose role is to find sales opportunities for private arms companies. The news follows CAAT’s high-profile campaign for DESO’s closure. CAAT has called on the Government

Documents released today – following court action by activist comedian Mark Thomas – reveal that the UK Government was prepared to break international law in order to terminate the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) inquiry into BAE’s dealings with Saudi Arabia. [1] The admission is made in the Government’s response to judicial review proceedings initiated by

Research published today by Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) reveals that 75 local authorities in the UK hold investments in BAE Systems through their pension funds. CAAT used the Freedom of Information Act to question all local authority pension funds, which between them own shares in BAE worth over £300million. The research comes after

Until the recent shocking events of the past couple of days our new Prime Minister Gordon Brown seemed to have a permanent grin attached to his face. In every photo in every paper there he was beaming from ear-to-ear, an expression that I had never seen him reveal as Chancellor. Gordon Brown had obviously been

As Gordon Brown prepares to become Prime Minister today, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has called on him to show his independence from Tony Blair by reopening the Serious Fraud Office inquiry into BAE’s arms deals with Saudi Arabia. The call comes the day after the US Department of Justice confirmed that it was

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and The Corner House have welcomed the decision by the US Department of Justice to investigate BAE Systems’ compliance with anti-corruption laws. The two organisations are currently seeking permission from the UK courts for a Judicial Review of the Government’s December 2006 decision to stop the Serious Fraud Office

Many of us will agree with Lord Goldsmith’s own assessment that “it is a particularly appropriate moment for [him] to move on” but perhaps he would not concur with those who believe his next position should be on a bottom bunk in a cell. In case you are thinking of applying for the now-vacant position,

Campaign Against Arms Trade and The Corner House welcome the BBC Panorama documentary on the Al Yamamah arms deal between BAE Systems and Saudi Arabia. The documentary, Princes, Planes and Pay-offs, broadcast on 11th June 2007, makes new and extremely grave allegations about the deal. Its principal allegation is that BAE, with