The United Kingdom has closed a long-running case accusing officials of British American Tobacco (BAT) of bribing politicians in Kenya to weaken anti-smoking legislation. In a statement yesterday, the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said there was insufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution in the case opened in 2017. “Following extensive investigation and a comprehensive review of the available evidence, the SFO has concluded its investigation into British American Tobacco, its subsidiaries and associated persons,” said the agency in the statement. “We thank our international law enforcement partners, and in particular the Kenyan Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), for their assistance in the SFO’s investigation,” said the agency. BAT was also alleged to have paid senior officials at the Kenya Revenue Authority hefty bribes to spy on its rival, Mastermind Tobacco.

Source: Standard Digital January 15, 2021 18:52 UTC