BAE Saudi arms affair
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched a criminal inquiry into the dodgy business practices of BAE Systems, the worlds fourth largest arms supplier. The investigation will delve into BAE’s £40 billion Al Yamamah weapons deal with Saudi Arabia – signed in the 1980s – and the apparent ‘special arrangement’ with a member of the Saudi royal family, Prince Bandar. But why is the DoJ so interested in a deal between a British company and a Saudi royal? Why, if there are allegations of wrong-doing, are there no criminal proceedings here? It is alleged that Prince Bandar received secret...