, The Government is to face the Information Tribunal next week over its refusal to disclose documents relating to arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
The first case is being brought by Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) after the Government refused requests under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act to hand over two Memoranda of Understanding on which the multibillion pound Al-Yamamah deal in the 1980's was founded.
In a second case which follows immediately, Nicholas Gilby, a CAAT researcher, is appealing against the Government's decision to withhold Foreign Office documents from the late 1960's and early 1970's. The documents concern negotiations around UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia which, Mr Gilby believes, contain evidence of corrupt practices.
The Government is once again justifying its position on the basis that it would offend Saudi sensibilities. The Tribunal will begin at 10.00am on Monday, 3rd March at Audit House, 58 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DS. Proceedings are expected to be completed by Friday 7th March.
CAAT's witnesses will include the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vincent Cable MP, who will give evidence on Monday morning, and the former diplomat, Carne Ross. Mr Cable will say that the documents have been denied to Parliament for the past 20 years and that they are central to Parliament’s ability to hold the Government to account over its dealings with Saudi Arabia.
The Government is relying on the evidence of a well-known high level diplomat, who will be questioned by CAAT’s barrister on Monday. The hearing dates have been arranged specially to accommodate this witness. His evidence is that the documents' release would offend the Saudi regime. CAAT believes that the public has a right to know the details of the Al-Yamamah deal, which made billions of pounds for BAE Systems and has been dogged by accusations of corruption ever since it was signed. The Government appears to be hoping that secret evidence will win the case for them, as later in the week the Tribunal will meet in closed session.
The case has already broken new legal ground with the Tribunal agreeing with an application made by CAAT and Mr Gilby for the appointment of a “Special Advocate” to represent them in the secret hearings. This is the first occasion that the Information Tribunal, which is gaining a reputation for standing up to Government claims for secrecy, has appointed a Special Advocate.
Symon Hill of CAAT said:
“Once again the Government is seeking to frustrate the rule of law and the citizen's fundamental constitutional rights in the UK on the basis that Saudi royals will be offended. When are the Government and the Saudis going to realise that they cannot continue to evade public accountability in the UK.”
The Information Tribunal hearing comes less than three weeks after an appeal Court judge criticised the Government for giving in to Saudi pressure to cut short a Serious Fraud Office investigation into BAE's Saudi arms deals. A judgment is awaited in that case, which brought fresh accusations of the UK Government's subservience to the Saudi regime.
Background Information
1. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade.
2. CAAT is represented by Jamie Beagent of Leigh Day & Co solicitors and Tom Hickman of Blackstone Chambers. Nicholas Gilby is representing himself.
3. The Information Tribunal will last from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th March, with a possible extension to Monday 10th March. Proceedings will begin at 10.00am on Monday. The hearing is open to the public, although later in the week some “closed” sessions will take place.
4. On all days except Tuesday 4th March, the Tribunal will be held at Audit House, 58 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DS. On Tuesday 4th March, it will be held at Procession House, 110 New Bridge Street, London EC4V 6JL.
5. The Memoranda of Understanding sought by CAAT were entered into by the UK and Saudi governments and form the contractual cornerstones of the now superseded Al Yamamah deals of the 1980's. Other MOUs from the 1980s relating to the deal are already public documents.
Campaign Against the Arms Trade
