OECD Group Demands Rapid UK Action to Enact Adequate Anti-Bribery Laws

The OECD's Working Group on Bribery sharply criticised the United Kingdoms failure to bring its anti-bribery laws into line with its international obligations under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and urged the rapid introduction of new legislation.>> Current UK legislation makes it very difficult for prosecutors to bring an effective case against a company for alleged bribery offenses. Although the UK ratified the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention 10 years ago, it has so far failed to successfully prosecute any bribery case against a company.>> The OECD Working Group, which brings together all 37 countries that are parties to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, is disappointed and seriously concerned about the UKs continued failure to address deficiencies in its laws on bribery of foreign public officials and on corporate liability for foreign bribery, which it said has hindered investigations.>> The Group acknowledged positive aspects in the UKs fight against foreign bribery, including the allocation of significant financial resources and nation-wide jurisdiction to a specialised unit of the City of London Police for foreign bribery investigations. It also noted the UKs first conviction of an individual in September 2008 for foreign bribery in international business transactions and its recent anti-corruption strategy to improve and strengthen the UKs law and structures to tackle foreign bribery.>> But it emphasised that reforms are urgently needed and should be dealt with as a matter of political priority. Recent cases have also highlighted systemic deficiencies that make clear the need to safeguard the independence of the Serious Fraud Office and eliminate unnecessary obstacles to prosecution.