America's Department of Justice to investigate British corruption

The American Department of Justice is to investigate the British government's role in the multi-million pound arms deal between BAE Systems PLC and Saudi Arabia. The Serious Fraud Office dropped the inquiry prior to bringing prosecutions at the instigation of the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith. Saudi Arabia blackmailed the British government into dropping the case. America is relying upon Britain's failure to abide by the terms agreed in the convention known as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It outlaws corruption and bribery, and Britain's argument that it was not in the public interest to proceed with the investigation and prosecution is not accepted as a valid reason by the American Department of Justice.