UK to remain global centre of ‘dirty money’ unless offshore registers introduced

MPs say plans for corporate public ownership disclosure in Britain’s overseas territories must be revived

Britain will remain the global centre of “dirty money” unless ministers revive stalled plans for public registers of who owns companies based in offshore havens such as the British Virgin Islands (BVIs) and Jersey, campaigners and senior MPs have said.

Veteran anti-corruption campaigner Dame Margaret Hodge MP said it was a “matter of national security” to do away with the secrecy offered by the 10 inhabited overseas territories and three crown dependencies.