The Liberal Democrats have put down an Urgent Question in Parliament following the announcement that BAE Systems is under investigation by the US Department of Justice.

The party is demanding to know how much cooperation the Government will provide to the US investigation.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable MP said:

"It is extraordinary and embarrassing that we have to rely on the higher standards of probity in the United States to investigate alleged corruption by a British company in its overseas business operations.

"One of the most important challenges facing Gordon Brown is to alter the sleazy behaviour of the outgoing Blair administration and ensure that this Government is committed to higher ethical standards and the rule of law."