The UK is stepping-up its work to investigate cases of international corruption affecting developing countries through a new specialist unit launched by International Development Secretary Justine Greening, says Department for International Development in a press release on Sunday.
The new International Corruption Unit (ICU) brings together existing investigation and intelligence units funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) from the Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and National Crime Agency. The multi-agency team will be operated by the National Crime Agency and be the central point for investigating international corruption in the UK.
Justine Greening, International Development Secretary said:
”Corruption is not only picking the pockets of the poor, it is an enemy of prosperity and a brake on a country’s development. Through the international corruption unit, the best of British law enforcement will step up our aid work combatting corruption head on across the developing world.”
Jon Benton, Joint Head of the ICU, said:
”The work we’re doing is absolutely vital for helping countries get back what is rightfully theirs.”
”The message to individuals and companies who see developing countries as fair game is that the UK has zero tolerance for overseas bribery and corruption.”
Since 2006, DFID-police units in the UK have investigated more than 150 cases of overseas bribery and recovered £200 million of stolen assets as well as successfully prosecuting 27 individuals and one company.
DFID will provide £21 million to the ICU for 5 years to 2020. The combined intelligence and investigation approach is expected to deliver a significant increase in money laundering and overseas bribery cases; a greater focus on preventive action; and a more strategic approach to identifying and tackling corruption in DFID priority countries.
The International Corruption Unit (ICU) investigates
- Bribery of foreign public officials by individuals or companies from the UK; and
- Money laundering by corrupt foreign officials and their associates.
The ICU will also:
- Trace and recover the proceeds of international corruption;
- Support foreign law enforcement agencies with international anti-corruption investigations;
- Engage with government and business to reduce the UK’s exposure to the proceeds of corruption; and
- Work with business to support increased compliance with the Bribery Act 2010
