The first successful prosecution by the City of London Police's Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit was welcomed by the government today.

Neils Jorgen Tobiasen, 65, from Denmark, pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to making corrupt payments.

Tobiasen, financial director of CBRN Team Ltd, will be sentenced at a later date.

Anti-Corruption Minister John Hutton said:

"I wholeheartedly congratulate the Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit for their landmark success in this case.

"Extra government funding is helping the unit make a real impact by bringing to book the corrupt companies who pay bribes and foreign officials who take them.

"Corruption hurts honest companies and raises the cost of doing business. This is the first of what I hope will be many victories for the unit in the fight against corruption and bribery."
Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander said:

"Bribery and corruption not only hurts the poor but hurts business too. This is why the Department for International Development has funded this programme. I am delighted to see this result."

Notes

1. Tobiasen was charged under Section 1 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906.

2. The City of London Police's Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit was established alongside a dedicated Metropolitan Police Service anti-money-laundering unit 18 months ago under the first Anti-Corruption Action Plan.

3. The Department for International Development funded these units for 3 years with £6m. The Department for Business provided an additional £140,000 a year to fund an expansion of the Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit by two more officers.