BAE confirms Scorpions' raid

2008-11-27 22:53

London - British defence company BAE Systems PLC said on Thursday that the Scorpions visited its offices near Pretoria as part of an investigation by Britain's Serious Fraud Office into alleged bribery.

BAE spokesperson John Neilson declined to give any details of what happened during Wednesday's Scorpions? visit or say whether any specific individual had been questioned.

"We continue to support the SFO in its inquiries, with access to people, information and premises whenever requested and wholeheartedly support a rigorous approach, in the hope that it brings to a conclusion, inquiries, which are now in their fifth year," Neilson said in an e-mailed response to queries.

Bulelwa Makeke, spokesperson for South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority, confirmed that the special unit had visited BAE's premises in Centurion, near Pretoria, on Wednesday. She declined to give any further details.

BAE has been under investigation by the SFO since 2003 over a £1.5bn deal to supply weapons, including 24 Hawk fighter trainers, to the South African government.

The SFO declined to comment on the visit to the BAE offices, but spokesperson David Jones said: "Naturally, you would expect the British and South African authorities to cooperate on matters of common interest."

Jones said that the South African authorities were investigating allegations of bribery at BAE independently, as well as in connection with Britain's investigation.

- AP