Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, responding to a BBC Panorama investigation into allegations of corrupt practices, including bribery, by Rolls Royce plc and its representatives said:

“Investigations into corrupt practices at one of our flagship international export businesses raises deeply troubling questions about the extent to which bribery and corruption happen across the board.

“Given that so many of these commercial export deals are underwritten by UK Export Finance loans and other financial support schemes, I have written, today, to the Secretary of State calling upon him to tell us how many British exporters are being investigated for corrupt dealings, including where intermediaries are used, and what his Department intends to do to ensure that UKEF is not providing support to any companies involved in such practices.

“The British people want to see British businesses on top and leading world markets but expect them also to do so with clean hands and with fair and ethical trading practices.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

¹ BBC Panorama aired on Monday, 31^st October 2016 setting out findings of alleged bribery payments by representatives acting on behalf of Rolls Royce plc to secure commercial deals around the world.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37823554