Baroness Hodge of Barking has been appointed as the UK’s new Anti-Corruption Champion, the government announced today, marking a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to combat corruption both at home and abroad. With extensive experience in anti-corruption campaigning, Baroness Hodge will support the government’s drive to tackle illicit finance and organised criminal networks that facilitate corruption.
Baroness Hodge, former Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (2010-2015) and current Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax, has been a leading voice in exposing the dangers of dirty money. In her new role, she will collaborate with Parliament, the private sector, and civil society to drive the government’s agenda on anti-corruption, aiming to strengthen the UK’s defences against both domestic and international criminal activity.
During her visit to the National Crime Agency (NCA) today, alongside the Foreign Secretary and Security Minister, Baroness Hodge observed the agency’s critical work in fighting corruption and money laundering. The visit coincided with an announcement by the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, who confirmed that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) will extend its funding to the NCA’s International Corruption Unit (ICU) by up to £36 million over the next five years. This funding will support the ICU in its efforts to combat cross-border corruption, money laundering, and bribery, helping the agency to continue its successful investigations abroad. Since 2020, the ICU has frozen over £441 million in assets linked to international corruption.
In his statement, Foreign Secretary David Lammy stressed that corruption poses a direct threat to UK national security, undermining the integrity of borders and public safety. “Corruption fuels the actions of dictators, smugglers, and organised criminals worldwide, making our streets less safe,” Lammy said, citing examples such as the ongoing conflict in Syria, where illicit money laundering activities have bolstered authoritarian regimes.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis also welcomed Baroness Hodge’s appointment, highlighting her vast experience and expertise in tackling corruption both within the UK and on the global stage. “Baroness Hodge brings decades of experience to this critical role, and her leadership will be invaluable as we work to combat corruption in all its forms,” Jarvis remarked.
In response, Baroness Hodge expressed her commitment to driving real, lasting change. “After years of campaigning on this issue, I am honoured to take on this role and look forward to putting an end to the delay in tackling corruption,” she said. “It’s time for determined action to eliminate corruption and the illicit finance that flows from it.”
As part of the UK’s broader efforts, the government has introduced further sanctions targeting the illicit gold trade. This industry, which fuels corruption and human rights abuses, has been used by countries like Russia to launder money and evade sanctions. The latest sanctions include asset freezes on five individuals, including Kamlesh Pattni, a British-Kenyan gold smuggler implicated in the Goldenberg corruption scandal of the 1990s. Pattni has been linked to money laundering operations across southern Africa.
The UK government is also planning to introduce a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy by 2025, which will bring together expertise from across the public and private sectors, law enforcement, and academia to develop a unified national response. This strategy will align with the UK’s international diplomatic efforts to tackle corruption globally.
These new initiatives follow a recent NCA investigation, Operation Destabilise, which exposed and disrupted Russian money-laundering networks supporting organised crime. This highlights the broader implications of corruption on both UK and international security.
Background: The Role of the International Corruption Unit (ICU)
The ICU is a key unit within the NCA, tasked with investigating international corruption, bribery, and related money laundering. Its work includes tackling money laundering related to the corruption of high-ranking foreign officials, investigating bribery involving UK-based companies, and tracing the proceeds of international corruption.
In addition to Pattni, the UK’s recent sanctions have targeted individuals such as Alain Goetz, a Belgian gold trader with links to armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Anto Joseph, a CEO involved in Russian gold exports.
Sanctions Explained
The sanctions include asset freezes, preventing individuals from accessing or using UK-based financial systems, as well as travel bans and restrictions on trust services. These measures are part of the UK’s broader strategy to combat corruption, limit the influence of corrupt actors, and prevent the laundering of illicit funds.
The announcement marks a renewed commitment by the UK government to address corruption in all its forms, reinforcing the importance of tackling global financial crime in the pursuit of a safer and more secure world.
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