Development company review after expenses reports
It was shrewd move by Andrew Mitchell, the International Development Secretary, to announce a review today into the (CDC).
This follows a special supplement in the containing all sorts of allegations and revelations about the CDC's work in recent years, including huge personal expense claims which seem out of place for a body which is meant to assist development in the third world.
It is a pity that the may get all the credit to this review when the Eye has been making all the running on this story for several years.
It is a situation which seems to reflect rather badly on previous Labour international development secretaries such as Hilary Benn and Douglas Alexander.
Indeed, Andrew Mitchell should have announced his review into the allegations surrounding CDC, as soon as he took office last May.
Two be fair to Mitchell he did raise his considerable disquiet about CDC whilst in opposition.
A very senior source told me this morning that Mitchell has "plans" which he has been "working on".
And, I was told, we should expect action very soon.
"October fruition," were the words used to me.
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 13th Sep 2010, Isatou wrote:"two be fair " ? Do you mean "too be fair " ? I would expect better from a Manchester Grammar School boy and Oxford graduate !!!
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Comment number 2.
At 14th Sep 2010, barriesingleton wrote:OR
'Be fair' too?
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Comment number 3.
At 14th Sep 2010, stevie wrote:reet lad, tha' Michael, used to see 'im 'avin fishan sixpennyworth outside Arndale many a day...reet good lad he were...pity he follers Unitid an not City.......(this is Northern speak to confuse posh folk like Isatou.....Michael will understand)
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Comment number 4.
At 14th Sep 2010, Nick Hildyard wrote:It is not only the expenses and bonuses that CDC pays its executives that are concern. Its development impacts are also highly questionable. In Nigeria, five of the companies in which it has invested are reported to be fronts for the alleged money launchering of money said to be corruptly gained by a former governor of Nigeria's oil rich Delta state. Further details at:
The TUC has also just published a critical report on CDC's labour standards -
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Comment number 5.
At 2nd Apr 2011, wejmiller wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 6.
At 2nd Apr 2011, wejmiller wrote:Isatou - it should read 'to be fair' actually.
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