London // There has been a chorus of protests over a deal that will see BAE Systems, the British defence contractor, pay US$447 million (Dh1.64 billion) in fines to settle corruption claims.
Long-running inquiries on both sides of the Atlantic have focused on payments allegedly made to secure the $60bn Al Yamamah contract with Saudi Arabia in the 1980s, and other arms deals in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Tanzania.
But anti-arms trade campaigners were furious after a surprise plea bargain was announced late on Friday, saying it meant there would be "no opportunity to discover the truth" about the bribery and corruption allegations.
Under the deal announced jointly by the serious fraud office (SFO) in London and the US department of justice, BAE will pay a $400m fine to the Americans and plead guilty to one charge of conspiring to make false statements.
The company will pay the remainder in the UK as a fine for failing to keep "reasonably accurate" records of a contract to supply radar equipment a decade ago.
BAE paid £7m (Dh40.2m) to a former marketing adviser in Tanzania during the course of securing the contract.
Investigations into the deals have proved an embarrassment to the company and the country. Tony Blair, the prime minister at the time, ordered the SFO to stop investigating the Al Yamamah contract in 2006 after protests by the Saudis.
Richard Alderman, the director of the SFO, said yesterday: "I am very pleased with the global outcome achieved collaboratively with the department of justice. This is a first and it brings a pragmatic end to a long-running and wide-ranging investigation."
But Kaye Stearman, a spokeswoman for the Campaign Against Arms Trade, said: "We are outraged and angry that the allegations about BAE will not be aired in a criminal court and that the serious fraud office has accepted a plea bargain relating only to the smallest deal.
"After the government stopped the SFO's inquiry into the company's Saudi deals, it was even more important the truth about its dealings in central and eastern Europe and Africa was made public."
Nicholas Hildyard, from the social justice campaign group Corner House, called on the UK authorities to reopen its investigation into the Al Yamamah deal.
"The company's admission obviously calls into question its repeated denials of any wrongdoing," Mr Hildyard said.
"Far from drawing a line under the allegations, the announcement simply raises far more questions and creates yet further demands for justice."
Norman Lamb, a Liberal Democrats politician who has been leading calls in parliament for a full investigation into all of the bribery allegations, said: "Ultimately, the charges that we now see admitted are administrative charges, not charges of corruption."
@Email:dsapsted@thenational.ae
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
THREE
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships
2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds
2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58
2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified
2012 London Olympics 9.63
2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77
2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79
2016 Rio Olympics 9.81
2017 London World Championships 9.95
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now