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Afghanistan and Nigeria 'possibly most corrupt countries', Cameron lets slip Afghanistan and Nigeria 'possibly most corrupt countries', Cameron lets slip
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has been overheard boasting to the Queen that the leaders of “fantastically corrupt” countries are coming to a summit he is hosting this week.David Cameron has been overheard boasting to the Queen that the leaders of “fantastically corrupt” countries are coming to a summit he is hosting this week.
In comments that were caught by a microphone during a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, the prime minister said that Nigeria and Afghanistan were two of the most corrupt countries in the world. In comments that were caught by a microphone during a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, the prime minister said Nigeria and Afghanistan were two of the most corrupt countries in the world.
Speaking in front of the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the House of Commons speaker, John Bercow, and the prime minister’s cabinet colleague Chris Grayling, he said: “We had a very successful cabinet meeting this morning. We talked about our anti-corruption summit. We’ve got ... some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain. Speaking in front of the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the House of Commons speaker, John Bercow, and the cabinet minister Chris Grayling, Cameron said: “We had a very successful cabinet meeting this morning. We talked about our anti-corruption summit. We’ve got ... some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain.
“Nigeria and Afghanistan are possibly two of the most corrupt countries in the world.”“Nigeria and Afghanistan are possibly two of the most corrupt countries in the world.”
The Queen did not respond to Cameron’s comment, turning her head away while he was speaking. However, Welby, who has worked in Nigeria, then said of that country’s leader: “But this particular president is actually not corrupt.”The Queen did not respond to Cameron’s comment, turning her head away while he was speaking. However, Welby, who has worked in Nigeria, then said of that country’s leader: “But this particular president is actually not corrupt.”
A Downing Street source said it does not comment on discussions the prime minister has with the Queen. Asked whether David Cameron regretted his comment, a Downing Street spokesman said: “Both leaders have been invited to the summit because they are driving the fight against corruption in their countries. The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with them as they do so.”
But the leaders of both countries mentioned have acknowledged that they have problems with corruption. Ashraf Ghani, the Afghan president, and his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, have contributed to a book being published by the prime minister called Against Corruption, to mark the summit. The spokesman declined to say whether the Nigerian or Afghan governments had contacted Downing Street following the prime minister’s remarks.
In his essay, Ghani acknowledges that Afghanistan is “one of the most corrupt countries on Earth”. He made clear that the PM was aware that he was being filmed at the time he spoke, telling reporters: “The cameras were very close to him. There were multiple cameras in the room.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The royal household does not comment on private conversations between the prime minister and the Queen.”A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The royal household does not comment on private conversations between the prime minister and the Queen.”
A spokesperson for Welby said: “The archbishop has no particular view but supports the international anti-corruption summit to combat corruption in all walks of life.”A spokesperson for Welby said: “The archbishop has no particular view but supports the international anti-corruption summit to combat corruption in all walks of life.”
The prime minister is not alone in his view. Transparency International, a global anti-corruption organisation, publishes an annual corruption perceptions index, which ranks countries in order of how corrupt they are perceived to be. The leaders of both countries mentioned have acknowledged that they have problems with corruption. Ashraf Ghani, the Afghan president, and his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, have contributed to a book, Against Corruption, being published by Cameron to mark the summit.
According to the most recent index published in 2015, Afghanistan comes in at 166th place – second from bottom, a spot which is occupied jointly by North Korea and Somalia. Nigeria is in 136th place. In his essay, Ghani acknowledges that Afghanistan is “one of the most corrupt countries on Earth”.
Transparency International, a global anti-corruption organisation, publishes an annual corruption perceptions index, which ranks countries in order of how corrupt they are perceived to be.
In the most recent index, published in 2015, Afghanistan was ranked in 166th place, above only North Korea and Somalia. Nigeria was in 136th place.
Cobus de Swardt, the managing director of Transparency International, said: “There is no doubt that, historically, Nigeria and Afghanistan have had very high levels of corruption, and that continues to this day.Cobus de Swardt, the managing director of Transparency International, said: “There is no doubt that, historically, Nigeria and Afghanistan have had very high levels of corruption, and that continues to this day.
“But the leaders of those countries have sent strong signals that they want things to change, and the London anti-corruption summit creates an opportunity for all the countries present to sign up to a new era.”“But the leaders of those countries have sent strong signals that they want things to change, and the London anti-corruption summit creates an opportunity for all the countries present to sign up to a new era.”