UK’s Denial of Saudi Bribes For Defense Contracts Is ‘Sheer Fantasy,’ Lawyers Say
- Lawyer says bribes authorized by high levels of UK government
- British businessmen deny SFO corruption charges worth millions
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Two British men accused of bribing officials in Saudi Arabia have been “hung out to dry” by the UK government who knew and consented to the corrupt payments made to win defense contracts, lawyers representing the duo allege.
Jeffrey Cook, a managing director of GPT Special Project Management and ex-defense official, and John Mason, a financial officer at GPT’s contractors are on trial in London facing bribery charges. The Serious Fraud Office say they funneled as much as £9.7 million ($12.3 million) to bosses of the Saudi Arabian National Guard between 2007 and 2012 through subcontractors.