Businessman jailed for oil contract bribes

A businessman who tried to bribe an Iraqi power broker to win a £650m oil deal has been jailed for three years. Executives at Monaco-based oil company Unaoil hoped to secure highly lucrative contracts in Iraq after the overthrow of dictator Saddam Hussein in April 2003. Stephen Whiteley, 65, and Ziad Akle, 45, were convicted of involvement in the scandal after former partner Basil Al Jarah, 70, admitted five conspiracy charges. Akle was jailed for five years at Southwark Crown…