Draft Bribery Bill looks set to make anti-corruption legislation a reality
December 2009
The state opening of Parliament on 18 November saw the announcement of the 15 bills up for debate.
Parliament is only sitting for a further 70 days before the latest date at which the general election can be held. Most bills take considerably longer to pass, but leader of the House Harriet Harman has argued over half of the bills introduced in today's Queen's Speech could become law. in the time available.
Many of the bills are highly relevant to the voluntary sector, covering equality, agency workers, finance, health, social care, education, child poverty, immigration and anti-corruption.
The draft bribery bill makes it a criminal offence to bribe a foreign public official to obtain or retain business. Companies could also be prosecuted for failing to prevent an employee paying a bribe, if they cannot prove that they have adequate procedures in place to prevent such illegal payments. Neill Blundell, partner and head of the fraud group at Eversheds observes that the bill ‘will make it far easier for companies and senior management to be prosecuted where bribes have been offered, or received. Speaking at CFDG’s risk management conference ‘Securing your Foundation’ Martin Birch and Rebecca Mackay of Christian Aid reminded INGOs operating in countries where bribes have sometimes been paid to expedite difficult situations that they will need to ensure their workers fully understand the implications of the new rules. Unlike some other bills, this one has a strong chance of actually becoming law by early 2010 as it replaces old and antiquated legislation passed before the end of the first world war.
Author: Clarissa Dann
Clarissa Dann is the Editor of Caritas, Charity Funding Report and Codicil. Clarissa has a background in legal and professional publishing, as well as business journalism and holds an MBA from Cass Business School. She has also acted as clerk to the trustees of a small almshouses charity, as well as a member nominated trustee to a pension scheme of a multinational publishing company.
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