Mark Moody-Stuart: Shell Xmas Gifts/bribes to the Police
By John Donovan
On page 187 of his *just published book dealing with difficult corporate ethical dilemmas, Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, retired Group Chairman of the Royal Dutch Shell Group, comments on the issue of Shell giving seasonal gifts to policemen.
He poses the question of whether Shell giving a seasonal gift of chocolates and fruit to policemen on duty near Shell offices constitutes a bribe.
In answer to his own question, he says: “In my opinion this is marginal, but I think nowadays it has been so deemed.”
I wonder if his consideration of this issue was prompted by the allegations surrounding Shell seasonal gifts to the news media and police in Ireland?
Newspaper staff have confirmed receiving wine packs as Christmas gifts from Shell EP Ireland. One editor returned the gift on ethical grounds.
The Irish police Ombudsman is still in the throes of an investigation of the allegations by a Shell supplier OSSL, that free alcohol was showered by Shell on thirsty Irish police officers dealing with protests against the controversial Corrib Gas Project. Some of the Garda officers have been accused of using violence against protestors.
The Ombudsman investigation follows two internal investigations by the Irish Police and two internal investigations by Shell.
Shell has refused media access to the findings of the initial investigation and the relevant internal documents and communications.
Interestingly, the New York Times has published an article today pointing out that many scandal-plagued companies try to “manage” such problems by conducting an internal investigation.
Also interesting to note, given the recent controversy on our Shell Blog over whether it is proper to publish archive documents and comment on matters relating to Shell’s reserves scandal and individuals involved, that Moody-Stuart comments extensively on the subject. He actually cites in his book a reference to a related document we published.
THE BOOK
*Responsible Leadership: Lessons from the front line of sustainability and ethics‘ by Mark Moody-Stuart is published on 5 March 2014 by Greenlea
Photo from Guardian article: Mark Moody-Stuart: ‘Dine with the devil’ or lose your influence
Ex Shell chief economist Vince Cable says ‘no-one needs to earn £1m a year’
Extracts from a BBC News article published 15 March 2014 under the headline: Vince Cable says ‘no-one needs to earn £1m a year’
Business Secretary Vince Cable has said he does not understand why people need to earn £1m per year. “I’ve asked one or two of the more sympathetic bankers to explain it to me,” the Liberal Democrat said in an interview with the Observer newspaper. He said their response was “because others get it so I should, too”. “That is a ludicrous mindset. What on earth do these people think they are doing?” said Mr Cable, who recently criticised bonuses paid out by RBS.
FULL ARTICLE
COMMENT FROM A FREQUENT CONTRIBUTOR
Maybe he should have asked the question of his former colleagues at Shell?
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Shell Oil fading
Extracts from an article by Robert MagyarShell Oil fading in the Pennsylvania Marcellus”
A new analysis of the second half 2013 Pennsylvania Marcellus shale oil and gas production shows the vast majority of Royal Dutch Shell’s 630 wells are under performing compared to its peers. In northeast Tioga County, Shell’s wells are producing at less than half the rate of its area competitors. Its more bad news for Shell as its new CEO Ben Van Beurden announced on Thursday the company would cut its spending in onshore U.S. operations by 20% and begin selling off assets. Shell purchased its Marcellus shale holdings by buying Terry Pegula’s East Resources Inc. back in 2010 for $4.7 billion. By early 2013, Shell took a $2.1 billion write down on its U.S. shale operations.
The TRUTH will set you FREE.
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