UK backtracks on bribery commitment

Retreat from enforcement of 2002 pledge

UK government has retreated from strict enforcement of bribery laws introduced just two years ago. Cost of corruption is estimated by World Bank to exceed $1500 bn. Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, told the diplomats last year, in internal advice that has only come to light, that business should be “sensitised” to its responsibilities. He said the government would “prefer to change behaviour by education rather than prosecution”.