Dear TIPS Member,
TIPS marks its 2nd anniversary in style… and hits the press!
It has been a busy month for the TIPS Network, with lots of events and some fantastic publicity in the national press. Highlights include:
TIPS: Two Years On: On 10 February 2020, more than 60 TIPS members attended an engaging and insightful event to mark the 2nd anniversary of the TIPS Network. Duncan Hames, Director of Policy at TI-UK, kindly gave remarks on the progress of the TIPS Network and the broader anti-corruption agenda from TI-UK's perspective. This was followed by an engaging and insightful Fireside Chat between Albert Stieglitz of the U.S. Department of Justice and Michael Bowes QC of Outer Temple Chambers.
TIPS in The Times: James Ford, TIPS Committee Chair, and Sofia Tirini, TIPS member, were interviewed for an article in The Times about the formation of the TIPS Network, the international nature of this network and our engagement with universities. See here (subscription required).
Please see below the TIPS Newsletter for February 2020. We look forward to seeing you soon.
- the TIPS team
1. Upcoming Events (register on our Events page)
TIPS Debate at KCL | 10 Mar 2020 | 6-8pm
Ante Room at Somerset House
TI-UK Open Business Launch | 12 Mar 2020 | 6-9pm
RPC, St Katharine’s Way E1W 1AA
TAKE COVER: Journalism Safety in Reporting Organised Crime | 26 Mar 2020 | 6.30-8.30pm
Bush House, 30 Aldwych, WC2B 4BG
TIPS Networking Drinks | 30 Mar 2020 | 6.30-8pm
Pitcher and Piano, 28-31 Cornhill EC3V 3ND
Crypto & Crime | 2 April 2020 | 6 - 8pm
Crown Plaza London – The City, EC4V 6DB
The Bribery Act Campaign: the inside story and a look at the future | 8 Apr 2020 | 6.30-9pm
Mayer Brown , 201 Bishopsgate EC2M 3AF
2. Recent TIPS Events
TIPS February Networking Drinks | Summary
On 24 February 2020, a group of TIPS members met at The Bootlegger for an evening of engaging discussion on the public disclosure of assets and liabilities of politicians.
Sankhitha Gunaratne of TI Sri Lanka facilitated an insightful discussion on this topic, reflecting on the TI Sri Lanka campaign to encourage more transparency among MPs in Sri Lanka – and how lessons can be learned both in the UK and further afield. There were plenty of perspectives including the potential need for a public scandal to help spur collective action among politicians to be more transparent.
It was a diverse and engaging evening with a variety of international insights and contributions from attendees.
CSC Anti-Corruption Showcase | Summary
On 12 February 2020, academics from the University of Sussex's Centre for the Study of Corruption presented ongoing research to more than 70 individuals across the public and private sectors and the academic community.
Presentations considered corruption challenges across Eastern Europe, China, West Africa, and global procurement projects as well as corruption risks and opportunities presented by new technologies.
It was a fascinating insight into some of the most cutting edge academic research in the anti-corruption field.
3. TIPS Advocacy: One Minute Reads
A number of new One Minute Reads have been uploaded to the TIPS website. Please do click the link to read more – perfect for your morning/evening commute!
As ever, if you want to draft/share any One Minute Reads on the TIPS website or have any questions about this initiative, please contact Alex Sidossis, TIPS Advocacy Lead, at asidossis@4-5.co.uk.
4. Items of Interest
Whistleblowing charity Protect launches petition calling on Government to review PIDA. See here.
TI-UK has called for clarity over the donor of the PM’s Caribbean holiday over Christmas. See here and here.
A joint letter to SFO Director Lisa Osofsky has been penned by TI-UK and Spotlight on Corruption to urge the SFO to evaluate certain issues arising from the use of DPAs in the UK. See here.
EU to put Cayman Islands on tax haven blacklist. Less than two weeks after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the Cayman Islands was added to an EU blacklist of tax havens. See here.
Australia urged to pass Magnitsky human rights law or risk becoming haven for dirty money. Bill Browder has told Australia it risks becoming “a magnet for dirty money” from abusers and kleptocrats across the globe unless it brings in Magnitsky human rights legislation. See here.
Court dismisses UWO appeal by Zamira Hajiyeva. See here.