(Torfaen)
(Lab): It is vital that we maintain the advantages of
our current prosecution toolbox when we leave the EU.
May I press the Attorney General on the allegations that exist of
widespread international money laundering against the President
of South Africa and the Gupta family, which is stripping money
from South Africa and leaving that country as a captured state?
Can the Attorney General assure me that our exit from the
European Union will not hamper any investigation into those
matters?
The Attorney General (Jeremy Wright): As I said
to the hon. Member for Stockton North (Alex Cunningham), we
should all recognise that crimes like money laundering do not
stop at national borders and therefore they cannot be combated
solely by one nation state, and they are not being. Our
co-operation with other countries will continue, and I hope be
enhanced, because I believe this kind of transnational offending
is likely to increase, not decrease. The hon. Member for Torfaen
(Nick Thomas-Symonds) would not expect me to comment on ongoing
investigations in specific cases, but I can assure him that when
it comes to money laundering, as with other types of offending,
that transnational co-operation will continue.
: I am
grateful for that answer. Of course, I would not expect specific
points on a specific case, but is the Attorney General aware that
there are now further allegations against the Gupta family about
a financial kickback from China South Rail that originates from
the South African state enterprise Transnet? Can he assure me
that if necessary the National Crime Agency, the Serious Fraud
Office and the Financial Conduct Authority will undertake
appropriate investigation of this matter?
