TIMESONLINE: Tony Blair’s defiant rejection yesterday of calls for a new corruption inquiry into the al-Yamamah arms deal came only days after Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, was given private assurances from Saudi Arabia that it was pressing ahead with the latest lucrative contract with BAE Systems.
Mr Blair said that a new inquiry would lead to the “complete wreckage” of vital national interests as he faced down calls to reverse his decision to halt a Serious Fraud Office probe into the £40 billion Tornado aircraft deal. BAE inquiry ruled out days after secret trip (more)
Mark Alexander
