Malcolm Brinded is on trial for alleged corruption
International Development Secretary Liam Fox has been criticised for speaking alongside a man on trial for corruption.
Liam Fox spoke about ‘Global Britain’s bright energy future” at the International Petroleum week conference in London yesterday.
Also speaking on the panel was Malcolm Brinded who is now the President of the Energy Institute but was previously an executive at oil company Shell.
Both Shell and Brinded himself are being with corruption over a Nigerian oil deal.
The case is being heard in Italy because Italian company Eni was also involved in the deal.
The prosecutors allege that US$520m from a 2011 oil deal was converted into cash and intended to be paid to the then Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan other government officials.
In December 2018, the Italian court jailed two middlemen for their role in this deal. The judge who sentenced them said:
“The management of oil companies Eni and Shell … were fully aware of the fact that part of the $1.092 billion paid would have been used to compensate Nigerian public officials who had a role in this matter and who were circling their prey like hungry sharks.”
These middlemen were trialled seperately from Eni, Shell and Brinded who have not yet had their trials. Two ex-MI6 agents employed by Shell are also on trial.
Campaign group Global Witness criticised Fox’s decision. “Is this company the UK Govt should keep?” they asked.
Like the Italian judge, Global Witness has claimed that Shell knew about the bribery payments.
Shell has said that it does not believe Shell or its present or past employees should be prosecuted.
If the payments took place, Shell said, they did so without Shell’s knowledge, authorisation or on Shell’s behalf.
Joe Lo is a freelance journalist and a reporter for Left Foot Forward
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers and to make the biggest impact we can in the next general election, we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 124 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.