Yet in more than 90 years there had not been a single prosecution under this law. British companies are among the worst offenders. Some 37 of the 55 companies which the World Bank publicly blacklists and has disbarred from participating in its contracts because of evidence of corruption are domiciled in Britain. British companies are among the strongest players in all these sectors. Ministers made all the right noises in a discussion paper.
Corruption is like a deadly virus.
It has no boundaries. For too long dishonest individuals have profited at the expense of undermining the integrity of professional and public life in this country. The international business community increasingly realises that a culture of corruption is a disincentive to investment and trade. These proposals demonstrate our determination to be at the forefront of international efforts to stamp out bribery. Yet the government continues to delay.