1 February 2011
'By delaying the Business Guidance that was due to be published this week, the Ministry of Justice has stalled the implementation of the Bribery Act that was due in April,' says Paul Cook, Tearfund Advocacy Director.
'As such the Government will be seen to renege on its commitment to be at the forefront in the battle against bribery.
'With ample time having been set aside for consultation, Tearfund is concerned that further delay will dilute the Guidance and become a pre-cursor to the legislation being shelved altogether.
'The International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell was clear last October: "This Government has a zero tolerance approach to corruption." Ministers should follow through with this promise and ensure transparency in the process. At the very least, Justice Secretary, Ken Clarke should set a firm date for the publication of the Guidance and the implementation of the Act.
'Bribery is a common form of corruption. In many countries in the developing world it compounds poverty, and society at large suffers the full effect of it.
'The Government leaves this process open ended with no new date set. This doesn’t reinforce the UK’s reputation as one of the least corrupt countries in the world - it undermines it, when the UK should be showing global leadership.'
Notes to editors
For further information contact Jonathan Spencer in the Tearfund Press Office on 020 8943 7901, or out of hours call 07710 573749.
Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency building a global network of local churches to help eradicate poverty. Tearfund is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee.