For the first time – the Department for International Development (DFID) has published specific plans to tackle the misuse of foreign public funds in each of its 29 priority countries. You can read pdfs on the DFID website – http://www.dfid.gov.uk/What-we-do/Publications/?q=anti-corruption+strategy
Countries covered include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, and central Asia. In November 2011, the Independent Commission on Aid Impact (ICAI) reviewed DFID’s approach to tackling corruption; and recommend that in any country assessed as having a high risk of corruption, DFID should develop an explicit anti-corruption strategy.
Meanwhile International Development Secretary Justine Greening, pictured, has announced new support for specialist units in the City of London Police, Metropolitan Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
Speaking last month, the International Development Secretary Justine Greening said that ‘where we see the trend moving in the wrong direction on corruption and on human rights, we will not simply stand by and ignore that’. She argued that it is in the UK national interest to support fragile states: “Whether it be terrorism in Afghanistan, piracy in Somalia or crime in West Africa, we know that instability overseas means we eventually foot a bigger bill here in the UK. Problems tend not to solve themselves, rather without action, they too often tend to grow.”
Britain has also established a new taskforce of UK legal and investigative people to help recover stolen assets across the Middle East. This follows Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement that transparency and accountability would be a key priority at this year’s G8 summit.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “When corruption happens in developing countries, it is the very poorest people in our world who foot the bill. Corruption is a deadweight which is holding countries and their people back.
“The UK government will not only work in countries to prevent public funds from being siphoned off or stolen – we will step up our efforts to combat corruption that uses our shores as a host.”
The Head of Economic Crime at the City of London Police, Detective Chief Superintendent Oliver Shaw, said: “DFID’s ongoing support is enabling the City of London Police’s Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit (OACU) to investigate and prosecute some of the most complex and significant cases of overseas bribery and corruption.
“OACU is combating criminality originating from UK entities that transcends national boundaries and international borders and damages the distribution and application of development aid to some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities. Proposals for further expansion of the units proactive resources is evidence of just how seriously the Government is taking this threat.”
DFID will provide support to the:
City of London Police’s Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate allegations of UK citizens and companies involved in overseas corruption, especially foreign bribery. To date, the Unit has charged 27 people and one company and successfully prosecuted 13 individuals.
Metropolitan Police’s Proceeds of Corruption Unit to investigate allegations of corrupt foreign politicians or officials laundering money through the UK. Since UK aid funding started the unit there have been eight successful prosecutions and over £100 million has been identified and is being recovered or held pending investigation.
Serious Organised Crime Agency to develop better intelligence which can be used to inform future investigations.
Crown Prosecution Service for asset recovery in the UK by issuing confiscation orders and preparing for the eventual return of stolen funds to the country of origin.
The Department for International Development has a Counter Fraud Unit to investigate allegations of misuse of aid money.
