HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Jack Straw appointed to anti-corruption post [October 2008]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 October 2008.

The Prime Minister has appointed Jack Straw as the Government’s Anti-Corruption Champion, succeeding new Defence Secretary John Hutton.

The role complements Jack Straw’s position as Secretary of State for Justice. The appointment follows his work as Home Secretary, where he announced a range of anti-corruption measures covering MPs conduct in the House of Commons, and as Foreign Secretary, where in February 2006 he announced UK ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the first global anti-corruption instrument focusing on prevention, criminal law enforcement, international legal co-operation, asset recovery and monitoring.

Jack Straw said:

“I’m honoured to have been asked by the Prime Minister to take on this important role. Promoting integrity, accountability and honesty in public and professional life, as I have always worked to do, will be at heart of my new brief.

“The international business community increasingly realises that a culture of corruption is a disincentive to global investment and trade. The UK is committed to fighting corruption in all its forms.”

The appointment comes as the OECD’s anti-bribery working group meets in Paris this week. At the meeting, the OECD will publish a report on the UK’s progress against recommendations arising from the Phase 2 Review of the UK in March 2004.

Mr Straw described the Government’s ongoing anti-corruption programme to Parliament in a written ministerial statement this morning.