A GOVERNMENT department controlled by Patricia Hewitt, the Trade and Industry Secretary, will be accused in the High Court today of deliberately bungling the introduction of anti-bribery rules.

The Export Credit Guarantees Department (ECGD) faces allegations that it watered down anti-bribery procedures with British companies such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.

In a two-day High Court hearing, The Corner House, an anti-corruption campaign group, will seek to have the new rules overturned. The Corner House complains that when the rules were drafted ministers listened only to the views of business, representing a breach of the department’s policies.

Susan Hawley, The Corner House research analyst bringing the case, said: “Our case is that the ECGD failed to consult fairly by only taking on the views of industry but no other stakeholders before weakening its anti-corruption procedures in November.”

The ECGD is the government body responsible for insuring defence and other exports to developing countries. Its anti-bribery rules are designed to ensure that British companies have not used improper methods to secure the contracts.

A revised anti-bribery policy was published in November. Originally, British exporters had to give anti-bribery undertakings on behalf of any affiliate involved in the deal. The later guidance limited that to companies controlled by the exporter.

An ECGD spokeswoman said: “We can’t comment on matters that are subject of a court case. Our measures to combat bribery and corruption are amongst the toughest in use.”

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