Two recent anti-corruption enforcement actions in the U.K. are a reminder of how readily the UK’s anti-corruption laws can apply to people who are not ordinarily based here.
On 10 August, the National Crime Agency arrested the Chief of Staff of the President of Madagascar along with another man who is a French national. The next day they were charged with requesting a bribe contrary to the Bribery Act 2010 and made their first appearance in court on 12 August. They are due to appear again on 8 September. The offences are alleged to have taken place at a meeting in London where the two are alleged to have sought significant cash payments as well as an equity stake in a mining project in Madagascar in return for the award of licences.