The UK has multiple bodies responsible for investigating and enforcing breaches of the UK’s anti-corruption and money laundering laws. These include agencies for investigating and/or prosecuting overseas corruption offences, such as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the National Crime Agency (NCA). And multiple agencies for investigating and/or prosecuting money laundering including the NCA, HM Revenue & Customs, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
We monitor how effective the different enforcement agencies are and developments in the enforcement landscape to see how they impact upon implementation of anti-corruption laws. We assess whether resourcing is adequate, whether enforcement agencies are able to attract and retain suitably qualified staff and whether the enforcement agencies have sufficient independence from political interference and corporate interests.
Some significant strides were taken by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) under the Starmer administration to tackle corruption and abuses of power. But further action is needed to stop powerful...
The SFO has struck a confidential settlement with ENRC, ending the Kazakh mining company’s long-running litigation. But with the terms undisclosed, the public is still in the dark about how much, if any, of the $290 million in damages sought by ENRC will be paid.
The government has proposed an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill, that would totally ban cryptocurrency political donations. But does the text of the amendment actually go far enough to truly stop cryptocurrency funding leaking into our political finance system?
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted a welcome crackdown on dirty money in the UK, including new sanctions, enforcement powers and stronger corporate transparency. There were hopes Labour would maintain this momentum. But despite positive commitments, there has been little progress in tackling corruption and money laundering.
As Andy Burnham promises to deliver renewal and prosperity for ordinary people, tackling illicit wealth should be high up on the new Prime Minister's agenda. From hollowed-out high streets to inflated property prices, dirty money is distorting local economies, fuelling inequality and harming communities across the country.
There are some stunning statistics in the Fisher Review into fraud prosecution. We are waiting with bated breath to see if the new government meets the challenge set out by Fisher to finally get a grip on one of the UK’s most prevalent crimes.
Last month a London jury acquitted Diezani Alison-Madueke, along with her brother Doye Agame and businesswoman Olatimbo Ayinde, of all bribery charges against them. This is a joint statement on behalf of ANEEJ, CISLAC / Transparency International Nigeria, HEDA Resource Centre, Spotlight on Corruption, and The Corner House (UK).
Our analysis traces the origins of this investigation and the twists and turns of a dramatic jury trial that culminated in the acquittal of a woman who wielded unprecedented power over Nigeria’s notoriously dysfunctional oil industry.