A Seriously Funny Attempt to Get The UK's Serious Fraud Office In The Dock!

by CAAT and The Corner House with Mark Thomas

first published 23 September 2007

 

On 23 September 2007, activist comedian Mark Thomas organised a comedy benefit night at the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre in London of Britain's top comedians to raise public awareness of the UK's Serious Fraud Office decision to drop its investigation into bribery allegations involving BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia and to support the legal challenge to this decision.

This "secret file" programme was given to all 3,500 people who crowded into the London venue. It provides concise background information not only on the comedians but also on BAE and its arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other countries; the UK arms trade; national security; and corruption.

The evening raised £40,000, a clear indication of the strong public interest in getting the Serious Fraud Office investigation re-opened.