Latest Campaign News
On 7th-8th July, the Lords heard the government's appeal against the High Court's ruling in favour of CAAT and The Corner House. A ruling is expected in the autumn.
Background
In December 2006 the UK government stopped a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into corrupt allegations surrounding BAE Systems' arms deals with Saudi Arabia, citing its reason as 'national security'. This was at a time when the SFO had gained access to Swiss bank accounts relating to Saudi officials, thus putting at risk a new BAE deal to sell Eurofighters to that country. This sent a clear message that BAE - the world's third largest arms company - is above the law.
In response to the government's actions, CAAT launched the Control BAE campaign, and together with The Corner House, a social justice research organisation, CAAT sought a Judicial Review of the decision.
On 10th April 2008, the High Court ruled that the Government acted unlawfully when it curtailed a Serious Fraud Office investigation into allegations of corruption with regard to BAE Systems' Al Yamamah arms deals with Saudi Arabia. The Government appealed against this decision and the appeal was heard in the House of Lords on 7th and 8th July 2008. For more information about the legal proceedings, click here.
Whilst the Government appeals, the campaign goes on
To have a big impact, and to ensure that the investigation is reopened, we need you to complement our legal work by campaigning. There are ideas below.
Sign the petition asking the Government to revise the clauses in the draft Constitutional Renewal bill that would allow politicians such as the Attorney General to halt investigations similar to the Al Yamamah one in future simply by citing "national security" and by doing so, stop any meaningful scrutiny by the courts or accountability to parliament.
Write to your MP asking him or her to raise the issue of revising the clauses in the draft Constitutional Renewal bill with Gordon Brown. We have posted a sample letter with the points which we think are crucial, for your use.
Order Control BAE campaign materials, including postcards and hard copy petitions, and use them to involve your friends, family and neighbours in the campaign.
Join the campaign - we need your help to ensure the SFO inquiry continues.