It was recently reported by various broadcasters, including Sky News, that the UK had allegedly paid "bribes" to Libyan officials in order to get British citizens out of Libya. Apparently, UK officials were forced to hand over more than £11,000 to Colonel Gaddafi's government for each and every one of the rescue flights that landed at Tripoli airport. To my mind, these payments raise two questions: should such payments really be considered bribes (in the context of the UK Bribery Act or otherwise) and, if so, is it acceptable for them to be made in the circumstances?… Continue Reading