From Saudi Ultimatum to UK: Cancel Probe or Plane Contract Goes to France:
Saudi Arabia has given Britain 10 days to halt a fraud investigation into the country’s arms trade – or lose a £10 billion Eurofighter contract that supports up to 50,000 British jobs. The UK’s Serious Fraud Office is investigating allegations of a slush fund for members of the Saudi royal family. French President Jacques Chirac has been to Saudi Arabia twice in recent months to offer full French co-operation on a deal to purchase 36 rival Rafale jets.