Bribing for Britain: Government collusion in arms sales corruption

The story of British arms sales is one of deception, resource waste and successive governments subsidising military production in sharp contrast to their refusal to assist other industries. Conservative and Labour governments have deliberately promoted the sale of weapons by corrupt methods and the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) played a key role in the bribing of foreign officials. Britain has consistently evaded its international obligations on combating corruption and major arms customers with appalling human rights records have directly influenced UK foreign policy. In the field of international aid, where British efforts have largely been positive, it will no longer be possible to tell governments of developing countries that they must give priority to the elimination of corruption. After the Saudi debacle, any such demand would be met with  incomprehension.

The story of British arms sales is one of deception, resource waste and successive governments subsidising military production in sharp contrast to their refusal to assist other industries. Conservative and Labour governments have deliberately promoted the sale of weapons by corrupt methods and the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) played a key role in the bribing of foreign officials. Britain has consistently evaded its international obligations on combating corruption and major arms customers with appalling human rights records have directly influenced UK foreign policy. In the field of international aid, where British efforts have largely been positive, it will no longer be possible to tell governments of developing countries that they must give priority to the elimination of corruption. After the Saudi debacle, any such demand would be met with  incomprehension.

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