DTI makes mockery of 'ethical policy'

THE GOVERNMENT'S ethical foreign policy came under attack yesterday after it was revealed that the Department of Trade and Industry is funding a UK trade mission to Nigeria.

Anti-censorship group Article 19 said the decision to support the trip in October by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce would offer succour to the country's military regime.

Frances D'Souza, executive director of Article 19, said that financial and political supporting for this trade mission to Nigeria made a mockery of Foreign Secretary's Robin Cook's ethical foreign policy.

Each of the 27 British-based companies on the three-day mission will receive grants from the DTI. The firms are looking to reap lucrative oil and construction contracts.

"Our companies can't afford to turn their back on any country, no matter what its human rights situation," said John Lamb, spokesman for the Chamber.

News of the mission came as Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs signed a Commons motion calling on the suspension of all such contacts with Nigeria.

However, a Foreign Office spokesman said: "In terms of international obligations, there is nothing that stands in the way of trade in Nigeria."