An episode of the BBC’s Panorama programme last November reported claims made by a former BAT employee that the company had paid bribes to African officials. American politicians have since called for the company to be investigated by the US Department for Justice.

BAT chief executive Nicandro Durante said the company takes the allegations ‘extremely seriously’ and that lawyers from Linklaters have access to ‘everything in BAT.’  

Mr Durante said that the company is keeping the Serious Fraud Office up to date with developments, adding that Linklaters has not yet reported any findings.

Linklaters is currently one of BAT’s external legal advisers, with the company also turning to Herbert Smith Freehills, Baker & McKenzie and Hogan Lovells. Sources: The Lawyer; The Telegraph