Watch my question urging the Government not to cave-in on corruption laws in overseas territories

Amid all the budget speculation, a disturbing report appeared last week suggesting that the Government was about to cave-in to pressure from the British Virgin Islands over corruption and tax evasion.

Essentially, the British Virgin Islands wanted to limit access to a register of company share ownership to only those deemed to have a legitimate interest.

That might sound like legal jargon personified, but this measure has long been seen as the best means to expose corruption and tax evasion in overseas territories.

Restricting access would be in defiance of legislation passed by the UK Government and would be an absurd thing to do on the eve of an anti-corruption summit.

Today, I asked the Minister for Overseas Territories if you could clarify the Government’s position.

You can watch his answer below.