Ex-Innospec boss admits new bribery charge

THE former chief executive of Innospec has admitted another corruption-related charge in court.

In a case brought by the Serious Fraud Office at Southwark Crown Court, 55-year-old Paul Jennings of Willaston, Neston, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to corrupt Iraqi public officials and other agents of the Government of Iraq.

Mr Jennings, who has already faced civil action in the US, has already admitted his part in corruption to secure supply contracts in Indonesia and Iraq.

The new charge he has admitted relates to allegations of conspiracy to corrupt Iraqi public officials and other agents of the government of Iraq between June 1 2006 and May 31 2007 by making payments as inducements to ensure that tests on MMT a competitor product manufactured by Ethyl Corporation, conducted by or on behalf of the government of Iraq, concluded with an unfavourable assessment of that product.

The sentencing of Mr Jennings was adjourned. A number of Mr Jennings’ former collegues have also been charged in the case.

US-owned Innospec has sites in Ellesmere Port and Widnes and is a major international manufacturer and supplier of fuel additives.