Unions at Lancashire defence giant BAE Systems have called on fraud investigators to reach a conclusion in their probe.
Lead officer Bernie Hamilton, of manufacturing trade union Amicus, has warned the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) that its inquiry into dealings between the company and Saudi Arabia is putting jobs at risk at the company's bases in Warton and Samlesbury,
near Preston.
He has called on the investigators to reach a "proper and speedy conclusion" after suggestions that the Middle East kingdom was stalling on talks to buy 72 Eurofighter Typhoon, a deal worth £20bn to the company.
The inquiry into allegations that BAE ran a £60m 'slush fund' to offer sweetners to the Saudi Arabian royal family in exchange for lucrative contracts as part of the Al-Yamamah deal.
His comments follow comments from BAE chief executive Mike Turner that he fears Saudi Arabia will now switch its attention to the French-built Rafale jet, unless the UK government intervenes to bring the investigation to a conclusion.
There are 2,425 people directly involved in Eurofighter at BAE's bases in Lancashire, with 1,875 at Warton and 550 at Samlesbury.
The latest UK-Saudi contract is believed to worth up to £20 billion to BAE, including weaponary systems and long-term maintenance deals.
