We aim to make this site as accessible as possible and therefore have provided the settings below to use if you are finding it difficult to view this website. See the SFO Accessibility Statement for more information.

Where it is appropriate to provide a Welsh translation, you can switch to Cymraeg. See the Welsh Language Commissioner website for more information.

Use the settings button in the bottom right corner of the page to access these settings again.

Change to normal text size A Change to medium text size A Change to large text size A Adjust Text Size

We would like to use Analytics Cookies on our website. 

Turn these on below if you are happy with us collecting information on how our site is used, in order for us to improve the overall experience of our website. 

All other cookies are necessary and therefore by continuing to browse this website, you are agreeing to the usage of these cookies.

 See the SFO Privacy Policy for more information. 

Analytics Cookies

Innospec Ltd: Former CEO admits bribery to falsify product tests

30 July, 2012 | News Releases

Mr Paul Jennings (55), of Neston, Cheshire, a former CEO of Innospec Ltd, appeared before His Honour Judge Leonard QC at Southwark Crown Court and pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to corrupt Iraqi public officials and other agents of the Government of Iraq. He has already admitted his part in corruption to secure supply contracts.

The charge he has admitted today relates to allegations of conspiracy to corrupt Iraqi public officials and other agents of the Government of Iraq (between 1 June 2006 and 31 May 2007) by making payments as inducements to ensure that tests on MMT (see note 5), a competitor product manufactured by Ethyl Corporation, conducted by or on behalf of the Government of Iraq, concluded with an unfavourable assessment of that product.

Other offences, already admitted to on 11 June 2012, are two charges relating to allegations of conspiracy to corrupt in that he gave or agreed to give corrupt payments to public officials and other agents of the Government of Indonesia (between 14 February 2002 and 31 December 2008) and Iraq (between 1 January 2003 and 31 January 2008) as inducements to secure, or as rewards for having secured, contracts from that Government for the supply of its products including Tetraethyl Lead by Innospec (see note 6).

The sentencing of Mr Jennings was adjourned.

Other defendants

Announcements concerning Dennis Kerrison, Dr David Turner and Miltiades (“Miltos”) Papachristos were made in January 2012 and June 2012 (see notes 6 and 7).  

Notes for editors:

  1. Former Innospec sales and marketing director Dr David Turner pleaded guilty on 17 January 2012 to two conspiracy to corrupt charges.
  2. In March 2010 the company Innospec Ltd admitted to bribing Indonesian government officials employed by Pertamina, a state owned refinery.
  3. Authorities assisting the SFO throughout the investigation were the US Department of Justice, the US Securities & Exchange Commission, the City of London Police and the Cheshire Constabulary.
  4. MMT is an abbreviation for Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl, which is a manganese based fuel additive.
  5. Press release of June 2012.
  6. Press release of January 2012.
  7. Press release of March 2010.

Related Cases