LOWTHER: BUSINESSMAN ACCUSED OF ARRANGING UNI PLACE IN EXCHANGE FOR CONTRACT
A top businessman appeared in court today (Tues) accused of arranging a university place for a Vietnamese government official in order to land a profitable contract
Packaging magnate Bill Lowther is said to have helped secure a place at Durham University for the son of Le Duc Thuy – the then governor of Vietnam’s state-owned bank – as well as paying his fees and
accommodation costs.
The 71-year-old was charged with conspiring to corrupt by the Serious Fraud Office on September 8 as part of a global investigation into banknote printing firm Securency, for which he is employed as an
executive.
The SFO, along with police in Australia and Asia, have been carrying out an investigation into alleged ‘improper practices’ involving the firm.
Lowther appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court today for a brief hearing, during which he spoke only to confirm his name and address.
He did not enter a plea to the single charge.
Anne-Marie Ottaway, for the SFO, said: ‘This is a case of conspiracy to corrupt, involving corruption of a foreign public official.’
Lowther was released on bail on the condition that he live and sleep at (13) St Aidan’s Road, Carlisle, unless he gives advance notice to the SFO.
He will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on December 2.
Lowther’s barrister, Alison Pople, said there would be an application to transfer the case to Carlisle Crown Court on that date.
Harvard-educated Lowther has racked up a string of honours during a career spanning four decades, including an OBE, CBE and honorary knighthood from the King of Belgium.
He started his career in 1970 with manufacturing firm OPP and eventually became UK managing director.
Lowther joined UCB – now known as Innovia, which has a 50 per cent stake in Securency – in 1990, eventually becoming director general of worldwide operations, with responsibility for 2,900 employees and a turnover of £424 million.
He took semi-retirement in 2002, but remained as director of the firm until he resigned in October last year.
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