Britain powerless in face of Saudi threats, court told | World news | The Guardian

[EV_Ares]

British government made no attempt to resist 'unlawful' threats

The British government was powerless to resist the Saudi threats that forced it to close down the BAE corruption investigation, its lawyers insisted in the high court yesterday.

The claim met with scepticism from Lord Justice Moses, who is trying the case along with Mr Justice Sullivan. He pointed out that the government had apparently made no attempt to resist such "unlawful" Saudi threats or to deter their behaviour.

Philip Sales, QC for the crown, said the government could not "magic away" the threats from the Saudi ruling clan.

But the judge said: "Every time a hostage is taken or a ransom demanded, the answer by the government is: 'We do not yield to threats'."

The high court has heard unchallenged allegations that it was Prince Bandar, the alleged beneficiary of £1bn in secret payments from the arms giant BAE, who threatened to cut off intelligence on terrorists if the investigation into him and his family was not stopped.

Investigators said they were given to understand there would be "another 7/7" and the loss of "British lives on British streets" if they carried on delving into the payments.

Reference: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/16/bae.armstrade

[melody]

1. He's a monster -- just like all his buisness buddies n/t

[yurbud]

2. vote this up on newsrankers to get it seen LINKS:

http://buzzflash.net/story.php?id=41050

http://digg.com/world_news/Brit_gov_t_claims_powerless_vs_Saudi_Prince_terror_threat