The secret bribes of big tobacco

(BBC) A BBC investigation has uncovered evidence of bribery at one of the UK’s biggest companies.

Panorama found British American Tobacco illegally paid politicians and civil servants in countries in East Africa.

The payments were revealed when a whistleblower shared hundreds of secret documents.

BAT told the BBC: “The truth is that we do not and will not tolerate corruption, no matter where it takes place.”

Paul Hopkins, who worked for BAT, a British company, in Kenya for 13 years, said he had begun paying bribes after being told it was the cost of doing business in Africa.

“BAT is bribing people, and I’m facilitating it,” he said.

“The reality is if… they have to break the rules, they will break the rules.”