BAE arms inquiry case

Reports from Newsnight's Peter Marshall on allegations of corruption and inquiries into the British arms firm BAE's overseas deals.

A Serious Fraud Office inquiry into BAE's Al Yamamah deal with Saudi Arabia was stopped in December 2006 by the government, with attorney general Lord Goldsmith announcing that it was threatening the UK's national security.

Campaigning groups are currently trying to prove in court that hopes of winning a huge new arms contract from Saudi Arabia influenced officials. Newsnight's Peter Marshall has been investigating BAE for some time.

SECRET DOCUMENTS RELEASED - FEBRUARY 2008

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The inquiry into whether the government was within its rights when it pulled the plug on the inquiry into BAE's sale of jets to Saudi Arabia, has seen numerous previously secret documents released. Peter Marshall examines what these documents tell us about why the inquiry was stopped and how much pressure was exerted by Downing Street.

THE SAUDI PRINCE - JULY 2007

A BBC investigation identified Prince Bandar of Saudia Arabia as the recipient of more than £1bn from BAE for services in the Al Yamamah warplanes deal. It's claimed the payments were made with the authorisation of the MoD. Prince Bandar denies any wrongdoing.

SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 2007

British fraud investigations into BAe's deals in other countries include sales worth billions of pounds to South Africa. Peter examined the South African deal and spoke to key players - and looked at how it has brought rancour and suspicion to a new democracy.

SFO BOSS DEFENDS DECISION - MARCH 2007

What was it that scuppered the Serious Fraud Office investigation into alleged bribery involving BAE and its huge arms contract with Saudi Arabia? Was it pressure from the Saudis? In an extended interview, the head of the Serious Fraud Office Robert Wardle speaks to Peter.

OECD REBUKE FOR UK - JANUARY 2007

The OECD's anti bribery commission expressed concern over the decision to drop the BAE corruption inquiry. It later called for a further review of Britain's efforts to fight bribery - and criticised the UK's failure to enact modern foreign bribery legislation. Peter's report also reveals US concern over the deal and plans to investigate BAE.

BUILT ON BRIBERY? - JUNE 2006

We've never sold so much of anything to anyone as we have sold arms to Saudi Arabia. It's Britain's most valued customer, our most lucrative trade - and also the most controversial. In June 2006, Peter uncovered the strongest evidence yet that back in the beginning - in the early 1970s - it was a business built on bribery.