UK High Court begins judicial review of BAE arms deal with Saudi Arabia

Britain's High Court on Thursday begins a judicial review of the government's decision to stop an investigation into alleged corruption by BAE Systems PLC in an arms deal with Saudi Arabia.

The review was won by pressure groups called the Campaign Against Arms Trade and the Corner House. The pair argue that the decision to stop the inquiry was unlawful because Britain's Serious Fraud Office was pressured into doing so and because it contravened the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's anti-bribery convention.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair took responsibility for the decision in December 2006, saying the investigation threatened …