In his RCP column today, Jed Babbin takes a look at the ongoing investigation involving BAE Systems, a British defense manufacturer, and Saudi Arabia. It seems BAE set up a "slush fund" of some 60 million-plus pounds to bribe Saudi officials into continuing to contract for arms purchases. That money was allegedly channeled through Wafic Said, a Syrian-born Brit and friend to Saudi Princes who has subsequently risen to become one of the Britain's wealthiest men.

As Babbin notes, the investigation has imperiled a twenty-billion pound contract (close to $40 billion) for 72 Typhoon fighter jets. Executives at BAE and the labor unions wants the probe to end immediately, for fear that the Saudis will pull the contract and give it to the French.

But yesterday the Guardian reported a new breakthrough in the investigation: the discovery of a Swiss bank account controlled by Said which may show direct payments to Saudi officials. The British government outlawed such payments in 2002.