Liberal Democrats call for re-opening of Al-Yamamah Arms case

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th May 2008

Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats have called for the inquiry into the Al Yamamah arms deal to be reopened and not just reviewed. Dick Oliver, chairman of BAE Systems', this morning signalled he would welcome a case review but the Liberal Democrats are urging the government to allow the Serious Fraud Office to fully reopen the case.

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said "If Dick Oliver is so certain about the apparent faults of the Serious Fraud Office's case, why won't he support the completion of the inquiry? Of course BAE favours a review of the evidence currently available because the case was stopped at a critical point, but a full investigation would need to gather much more evidence before any decision on prosecution could be made. While ministers hold their noses and the Tories silently look the other way, the reputation and integrity of British industry remains sullied by unanswered questions about this murky affair."