Ex-Innospec chief admits conspiracy to bribe

A former senior executive at the chemicals group Innospec has pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe Iraqi and Indonesian public officials.

David Turner, 56, admitted at Southwark crown court two counts of conspiring to give corrupt payments to win contracts to sell toxic petrol additives, known as tetraethyl lead, to Iraq between 2003 and 2008 and to Indonesia between 2002 and 2009.

Tetraethyl lead was banned in Europe and the US in 2000 after being linked to brain damage in children.

Turner also admitted conspiracy to defraud a competitor by bribing Iraqi officials to provide unfavourable test results on its products. sentencing was adjourned.