A GROUP campaigning against arms trading has written to the government to insist a fraud investigation into dealings between aerospace giant BAE Systems and the Saudi government - which could threaten a £6billion deal - must go ahead.
The UK and Saudi governments are in talks over the multi-billion-pound Eurofighter deal, which would see jets being built by BAE Systems, including at the firm's site in Samlesbury, near Blackburn.
But it is thought a probe by the UK Serious Fraud Office could delay the deal, or even cause the Saudi government to pull out altogether.
MPs have called on the government to make sure the probe is dealt with swiftly, but groups including Campaign Against Arms Trade have written to Alistair Darling, secretary of state for trade and industry, to insist the investigation must not be curtailed.
The letter says: "As no evidence has been produced that the Serious Fraud Office has been unduly slow in its investigation, it is only right that it should be allowed to proceed and not brought to a premature conclusion by political pressure."
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