This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7407023.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
BAE bosses detained at US airport BAE bosses detained at US airport
(30 minutes later)
Two executives of defence company BAE Systems have been briefly detained when they landed in the US on business.Two executives of defence company BAE Systems have been briefly detained when they landed in the US on business.
Chief executive Mike Turner and an unnamed senior colleague were spoken to when they arrived at Houston airport, and had electronic equipment examined.Chief executive Mike Turner and an unnamed senior colleague were spoken to when they arrived at Houston airport, and had electronic equipment examined.
US officials are investigating corruption allegations involving a huge arms deal between BAE and Saudi Arabia.US officials are investigating corruption allegations involving a huge arms deal between BAE and Saudi Arabia.
BAE, which denies any wrong-doing, said US officials served "a number of additional subpoenas" on employees.BAE, which denies any wrong-doing, said US officials served "a number of additional subpoenas" on employees.
The executives were not prevented from entering the US and Mr Turner is now back in the UK. The executives were not prevented from entering the US following the unexpected interruption, and Mr Turner is now back in the UK.
'Serious damage''Serious damage'
There have been accusations that BAE made multi-million-pound payments to help win an arms deal from Saudi Arabia - though all parties deny any wrongdoing.There have been accusations that BAE made multi-million-pound payments to help win an arms deal from Saudi Arabia - though all parties deny any wrongdoing.
The £43bn al-Yamamah deal was signed in the 1980s but continued into the 1990s.The £43bn al-Yamamah deal was signed in the 1980s but continued into the 1990s.
It involved BAE selling Tornado and Hawk jets, as well as other weapons, and also included long-running maintenance and training contracts.It involved BAE selling Tornado and Hawk jets, as well as other weapons, and also included long-running maintenance and training contracts.
In the UK, in December 2006, the then Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, announced the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was suspending its inquiry into the deal, saying it would have caused "serious damage" to UK-Saudi relations and, in turn, threatened national security.In the UK, in December 2006, the then Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, announced the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was suspending its inquiry into the deal, saying it would have caused "serious damage" to UK-Saudi relations and, in turn, threatened national security.
The High Court ruled recently that it was unlawful for the SFO to have ended the investigation into the al-Yamamah deal. The fraud office has been given permission to appeal against the court ruling.The High Court ruled recently that it was unlawful for the SFO to have ended the investigation into the al-Yamamah deal. The fraud office has been given permission to appeal against the court ruling.
'Ongoing investigation''Ongoing investigation'
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) said in June 2007 that it was launching a probe to see if BAE's business deals "concerning the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" complied with anti-corruption laws.The US Department of Justice (DoJ) said in June 2007 that it was launching a probe to see if BAE's business deals "concerning the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" complied with anti-corruption laws.
It is believed the DoJ became interested because BAE used the US banking system to transfer regular payments to accounts controlled by Prince Bandar at Riggs Bank in Washington.It is believed the DoJ became interested because BAE used the US banking system to transfer regular payments to accounts controlled by Prince Bandar at Riggs Bank in Washington.
Following the detention of the two BAE executives, for 20 minutes on Monday 12 May, the company has put out a statement.Following the detention of the two BAE executives, for 20 minutes on Monday 12 May, the company has put out a statement.
It says: "The company confirms that last week the DoJ served a number of additional subpoenas in the US on employees of BAE Systems plc and BAE Systems Inc as part of its ongoing investigation, which the company has previously announced.It says: "The company confirms that last week the DoJ served a number of additional subpoenas in the US on employees of BAE Systems plc and BAE Systems Inc as part of its ongoing investigation, which the company has previously announced.
"The company has been and continues to be in discussion with the DoJ concerning the subpoenas served in the course of its investigation.""The company has been and continues to be in discussion with the DoJ concerning the subpoenas served in the course of its investigation."