New proposals put forward by the Government today, as part of the
long-awaited National Anti-Corruption Strategy, are a welcome
advance in the fight against corruption both at home and abroad -
but the Strategy fails to address corruption in UK politics and
avoids confrontation with Britain’s infamous offshore financial
centres.
TI strongly supports the Government’s plan for a public
register of foreign owners of UK property, ending the secrecy
exploited by corrupt foreign politicians and their cronies.
Legislation had been promised by next April and must not be
delayed by Brexit.
TI is concerned that compared to past policy this strategy
appears to surrender to the British Overseas Territories and
Crown Dependencies, jurisdictions whose continued secrecy and
lack of accountability is critical to allowing corrupt capital
flows around the world as seen in the Panama and Paradise
Papers.
We welcome the appointment of MP as Anti-Corruption
Champion, and the introduction of a Minister for Economic Crime,
as well as recognition for the first time of the need to act to
prevent corrupt insiders in key domestic sectors including:
borders, prisons, policing, and defence.
, Director of Policy,
Transparency International UK, said:
“We broadly welcome the publication of the UK’s first
national Anti-Corruption Strategy. It is a clear signal of the
Government's intent to confront the scourge of corruption on a
national and international level. Words however, are the easy
part - firm and timely action must now follow.”
“Brexit may be the cause of the year-long delay in
publishing this strategy but in preparing to leave the EU, having
a clear and joined-up strategy to tackle corruption is more vital
than ever. Trade policy in particular offers a new opportunity to
advance the fight against corruption around the world - for
‘Global Britain’ to be a beacon, not a buccaneer.”
“We are particularly pleased to see a fresh commitment
to establish in law a public register of foreign ownership of UK
property. The Government must now table this legislation with
renewed urgency; cross-party support in Parliament has already
been promised. Until then, every day that passes is another of
corrupt individuals enjoying the anonymity that allows them to
launder their stolen cash through our economy, and stash it in
often empty houses on our streets.”
“If the Prime Minister’s newly appointed
Anti-Corruption Champion is indeed to challenge the Government to
act against corruption, he need look no further than the issue of
corruption in our politics - on which this strategy is
disappointingly complacent. Instead of trumpeting the
achievements of the Lobbying Act and the work of ACOBA, they
should recognise that most lobbying is not covered by the Act,
and that the Committee is so toothless as to have become an
afterthought for former ministers approaching the revolving door
on their way to a lucrative new job.”
TI-UK has been calling for a national Anti-Corruption
Strategy since 2015 - a strategy that sets out the Government’s
response and long term plan to deal with corruption here in the
UK, and internationally, as well as the UK’s role as a safe haven
for the proceeds of corruption from around the world.
