Lord Hain Archives - Jean-Jacques Cornish

Another British firm caught in Guptas scandal

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 22:00:00 +0000

Another British company’s been dragged into South Africa’s scandal pool.

This time it’s law firm Hogan Lovells accused of helping hide state corruption and complicity in attempts to loot and rob the taxpayer.

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South African-born Lord Hain says Hogan Lovells, hired to probe corruption in SARS, actually engaged in a fatally flawed whitewash of graft in South Africa.

Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan says Hogan Lovell back pedaled on its Investigation into former SARS executive and alleged money launderer Jonas Makwakwa.

Hain’s asking the British regulator to discipline Hogan Lovell who deny any wrongdoing.

Hain says the British firm helped the Guptas gain influence in SARS.

He maintains Hogan Lovell’s is either a willing gullible or a malevolent accomplice.

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British banks may have laundered money for the Guptas

Jean-Jacques Cornish — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 22:00:00 +0000

Tipped off by former anti-apartheid activist and Labour Party Minister, Britain’s financial regulators and the Serious Fraud Office are probing whether the giant HSBC and Standard Chartered banks are linked to the Gupta scandal in South Africa.

South African-born Hain says the banks may inadvertently have been conduits for laundered money.

Lord Hain tells the House of Lords that up to £400m of illicit funds may have been moved by HSBC and Standard Chartered.

He says he’s concerned about links between President Jacob Zuma and the Guptas.

The peer has written to the Chancellor Philip Hammond, telling him a whistle-blower has indicated the banks may inadvertently have been conduits for the corrupt proceeds of money.

His letter names 27 people and companies.

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