King’s Speech

Baroness Whitaker Excerpts

Thursday 21st May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Whitaker (Lab)]

My Lords, following the most welcome reference in the gracious Speech to

“drive global growth and reinforce global stability”,

I want to raise the subject of international action against corruption. I should first declare an interest in that my daughter has been active in drafting the core crimes of an embryonic international treaty on the subject, but my acquaintance with it dates from far before that, from when I was a member of the council of Transparency International UK, sat on two Bribery Bill committees and observed at first hand the effects of corruption in sub-Saharan Africa.

Corruption is the foundation from which widespread and deep-rooted instability comes: the erosion of democracy and the rule of law; the exploitation of the many by the few; the simple misery of those without the means to obtain education, healthcare and the provision of utilities; the perversion of action against climate change; the destruction of level playing fields for ethical businesses; the deterrence of constructive investment; and, not least, the demoralisation of public support for international aid.

Corruption does not endure from lack of laws. One hundred and ninety-two states are party to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. It criminalises corrupt conduct. Kleptocrats, however, continue to arrange impunity by controlling the administration of justice.

The United Kingdom now has a promising anti-corruption strategy, but this is not a problem that any country can address on its own. We can lead the development of multilateral solutions. The Government’s plans to host a summit on illicit finance next month are an encouraging part.

An international anti-corruption court is vital among the innovations that are needed. It would fill the enforcement gap in the international framework. It would go far to disrupt transnational grand corruption networks; it would prosecute the bribe payers, corrupt officials and money launderers who commit the universally agreed crimes of the UN convention when national Governments fail to do so. As well as its credible threat of criminal prosecution, which would deter corruption, most significantly, the court would have an assets division dedicated to returning illicit assets to serve the public good, even when the arrest and extradition of criminals is difficult, which has been a serious obstacle to proper redress so far.

An eminent global expert group, led by Justice Richard Goldstone of South Africa and Allan Rock, a former Canadian Minister of Justice, has shared a first draft of the international anti-corruption court treaty with interested officials in more than 35 Governments, as well as civil society organisations, for informal comments. I understand that we are committed to participate actively in this dialogue, along with Canada, Moldova, the Netherlands, Nigeria and Norway. Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court judges have said that this would help their domestic effort. Widespread support comes from Africa and Latin America. The voice of the global South is crucial and demonstrates its pressing need for better governance.

Finally, the expert group has done the bulk of the laborious drafting work so that Governments such as ours can now provide input. Through 2026, the expert group will use the feedback from important stakeholders to finalise the draft for publication in early 2027. Will my noble friend the Minister renew the United Kingdom’s commitment to this viable solution to a deep-rooted and intractable barrier to justice and democracy, and keep your Lordships’ House in touch with developments? Can he say how His Majesty’s Government will contribute to the treaty discussions, at this formative stage of its development, and how they will play a leadership role in raising awareness about the proposal?