Pressure grows on BAE over 'bribery'
Defence giant BAE Systems is back in the dock over alleged corruption and bribery involving contracts with the Czech Republic, South Africa, Tanzania and Romania.
A court in South Africa has been told huge "commissions" were paid to agents who helped BAE clinch a £1.6 billion arms contract in the country. The Daily Mail says the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the US Department of Justice believe they are close to forcing BAE to a settlement.
Department of Justice investigators are still looking into BAE's controversial multi-billion-pound al-Yamamah arms deal with Saudi Arabia, although the SFO abandoned that matter after heavy pressure from then-Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The SFO refused to comment on the probe but the Mail quotes insiders who say it will have evidence to put to BAE by the end of March.
The US authorities will present its evidence on the Saudi bribery allegations at the same time.
Authorities on both sides of the Atlantic want to force BAE to admit its alleged crimes and pay hefty penalties to put the issue behind it.
It is thought the company will try for a settlement under which it admits lesser offences.
BAE says it always obeys the laws of countries in which it operates.
