David Lammy: I am not informed about Georgia and the corrupt activities there, but I will look into the matter closely and present it to the British Virgin Islands

“I am not informed about the details of the case you are raising regarding Georgia and the corrupt activities there, but I will carefully review it and present these issues to the British Virgin Islands,” said David Lammy, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, in response to a question from British parliamentarian Phil Brickell.

Brickell informed the Foreign Secretary that “in Georgia, leading members of the pro-Russian ‘Georgian Dream’ party are allegedly using companies registered in the British Virgin Islands to conceal and hide their wealth behind a veil of financial secrecy” and asked what signal this sends to the world.

In response, David Lammy noted that this is a “terrible signal” and that the issue will be carefully reviewed.

“This sends a terrible signal. We will continue discussions with the British Virgin Islands on this matter and are seriously committed. That is why, next year, we will hold a conference on illicit finance. That is why I have asked Ms. Margaret Hodge to support us in resolving this issue and in efforts to unite the international community. Much more can be expected from the department. I am not informed about the details of the case you are raising regarding Georgia and the corrupt activities there, but I will carefully review it and present these issues to the British Virgin Islands,” he stated.