GOVERNMENT MUST ADDRESS CONCERNS ON SAUDI ARMS DEAL - HARVEY
August 21, 2006 5:20 PM
Commenting on the news that Saudi Arabia is to buy 72 Eurofighter aircraft from the UK, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary Nick Harvey MP said:
"This deal gives a welcome boost to British industry and jobs but raises major issues which must be addressed.
"The Foreign Office itself says the Saudi Government has 'continued to violate human rights'. The Government must seek concrete assurances that these planes will not be used for internal repression and will make special provision for monitoring their use.
"This deal raises particular concerns as the Serious Fraud Office investigation into the last controversial UK-Saudi arms deal is still ongoing. The Government must publish the 1992 National Audit Office report on the 'Al Yamamah' deal, which inexplicably remains secret.
"Given the controversy over Al Yamamah and numerous corruption allegations, we need cast-iron guarantees about the probity of this transaction. It must be wholly transparent and free from corruption."
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