Former BAE agent charged with corruption

A former agent of the defence giant BAE Systems has been charged with corruption in connection with the group’s fighter jet contracts in eastern and central Europe.

Count Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly of Austria has been charged with conspiracy to corrupt under the Criminal Law Act.

It is alleged Mr Mensdorff-Pouilly conspired with others to pay bribes to officials of several European countries, including the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria, to secure contracts for BAE to supply Gripen fighter jets.

BAE, which employs thousands of workers in the North West at sites near Preston and Barrow, was marketing the planes which were produced by Swedish company Saab. BAE also has a 20% stake in Saab.

Mr Mensdorff-Pouilly will appear at magistrates court in London later today. The SFO said it had been working with Ministry of Defence police and the Austrian authorities on the case.

In October the SFO said it would ask the Attorney General to prosecute BAE over allegations of corruption in Europe and Africa.