Cameron cracks down on corruption in global summit

David Cameron will host a major international anti-corruption summit in London today.

But in the wake of his "corruption gaffe", it remains to be seen how it will go.

On Tuesday he was overheard describing two of the countries attending - Nigeria and Afghanistan - as "fantastically corrupt".

And the leaders of both those countries are due to attend.

  • Where is the summit being held?

Lancaster House in London.

  • Why is it happening?

The Prime Minister organised the summit as he wants to sign up the first ever global declaration against corruption in all walks of life.

It is the first event of its kind bringing together governments, business and civil society as well as campaigners, academics and leading anti-corruption experts.

President Buhari and President Ghani will be at the summit. Credit: PA
  • Who is going?

The President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and the President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari will be at the event.

Both leaders are expected to make remarks during the course of day, which could cause further embarrassment to David Cameron.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, President of the World Bank Jim Yong Kim, Head of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde and Transparency Global Chair Jose Ugaz will also be there.

  • Who hasn't been invited?

Despite being at the centre of the Panama Papers leaks, the country told The Times they had not received an invite.

The British Virgin Islands, which was also named in the documents, is not sending any delegates.

And Fifa have also been left off the list - despite wrong-doing in sport being a key focus of the event.

Number 10 insisted the summit had only a "representative" list of attendees, and the government was already in discussions regarding corruption with bodies like Fifa.

One of the summit's aims is to stop money being laundering through London's property market. Credit: PA
  • What will be discussed?

The conference will have three main sessions, including one chaired by the Prime Minister.

Also on the panel is Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, whose government branded Mr Cameron's remarks on his country's corruption levels "unfair".

But no detailed agenda has been made public as yet.

  • What are the aims?

In the wake of the Panama Papers scandal, Cameron has said all foreign firms that own property in the UK must make public who really owns them.

The move is aimed at stopping money being laundered or hidden using London's property market.

The Prime Minister is also facing calls to tackle tax secrecy in Britain's overseas territories and Crown dependencies.

And Britain is creating an international anti-corruption co-ordination centre in London with backing from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Interpol.

This will work across borders to investigate corrupt elites and recover stolen assets.

Trafalgar Square will be transformed into a 'tropical tax haven' by protesters. Credit: PA
  • What has Cameron said about it?

Speaking ahead of the summit, Cameron said: "Corruption is an enemy of progress and the root of so many of the world’s problems.

"It destroys jobs and holds back economic growth, traps the poorest in desperate poverty, and undermines our security by pushing people towards extremist groups.

"The battle against corruption will not be won overnight. It will take time, courage and determination to deliver the reforms that are necessary.

"But we cannot hope to solve the major global challenges we face without tackling the exploitation, fraud and dishonesty at their heart.

"For too long there has been a taboo about tackling this issue head on.

"The summit will change that. Together we will push the fight against corruption to the top of the international agenda where it belongs."

  • Who is not happy about the summit?

A number of groups are set to protest today including Oxfam, Action Aid and Christian Aid who will transform Trafalgar Square into an "interactive, tropical tax haven".

Afghan migrants in Sweden are also travelling over to London to protest against their government which they say is extremely corrupt.

And an "Artful Tax Dodger" flashmob is set to gather at various points around the capital including the outside the Houses of Parliament and Lancaster House where the summit is taking place.