TV program accuses BAT of bribery in East Africa

The BBC’s Panorama program has alleged that British American Tobacco made illegal payments to politicians and civil servants in countries in East Africa.

In responding to the allegations, BAT told the BBC in a statement: ‘The truth is that we do not and will not tolerate corruption, no matter where it takes place’.

The payments were said to have been revealed when a whistleblower, Paul Hopkins, who worked for BAT in Kenya for 13 years, shared hundreds of previously secret documents.

E-mails shared by Hopkins were said to have revealed that BAT made illegal payments to two members and one former member of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

It was alleged that an FCTC representative from Burundi, Godefroid Kamwenubusa, and a representative from the Comoros Islands, Chaibou Bedja Abdou, were both paid $3,000. A former representative from Rwanda, Bonaventure Nzeyimana, was paid $20,000. All three men deny taking bribes from BAT.

The secret documents were said to show also that the company paid bribes to undermine anti-smoking legislation.

Jeremy Carver, who was described as a bribery expert, said the allegations would set inquires in train about BAT’s operations globally.

BAT, meanwhile, said any company could fall victim to an employee acting inappropriately. ‘We are rightly proud that any alleged breach of our very high expectations of transparency and honesty is swiftly investigated,’ it said in its statement.

‘Any proven transgression will lead to appropriate disciplinary action.’

BAT added that its accusers in the Panorama program had left the company in acrimonious circumstances and alleged that they had a vendetta against BAT.

Panorama: The Secret Bribes of Big Tobacco was broadcast on BBC One last night and is now available on the BBC iPlayer.

A report on the program, from which the above information was taken, is at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34964603