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British gov't must "clean own backyard" in anti-corruption fight

Xinhua, May 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

If the British government is serious about leading the global struggle against corruption it must demonstrate leadership by cleaning its own backyard, a leading justice center said Monday.

A survey conducted by respected pollsters YouGov for researchers at the University of Liverpool found the public want a ban on practices that have become a normal part of British government and politics.

The survey comes as British Prime Minister David Cameron prepares to host a special corruption summit. The survey shows that the British public are not in tune with the messages likely to be heard coming from inside the summit, says Prof. David Whyte.

A cross section of the British public was asked how they regarded a range of collusive relationships between the public and private sectors.

Almost three quarters, 73 percent, said that the practice of government ministers accepting corporate boardroom appointments on leaving political office should be banned.

They also said by a slightly higher margin of 75 percent, that the practice of senior civil servants accepting corporate consultancies should also be banned.

Nearly two thirds (62 percent) said that inviting private corporations into British government to help shape the regulation of business should be banned.

Whyte, one of the report authors, said: "The revolving door and the ever closer relationship between the private sector and government are leading to growing public concern about collusion at the expense of the public purse. Many now question what government ministers and civil servants are working for: the public interest or private benefit?"

Will McMahon of the Center for Crime and Justice Studies said the report brings to the fore the question of how corrupt British government practices are.

John Christensen, director of The Tax Justice Network, said: "If the British government is serious about leading the global struggle against corrupt practices it must demonstrate leadership by cleaning its own backyard."

The results of the study are being published on May 3 in the latest edition of the journal Tax Justice Focus. Enditem