The United Kingdom’s development finance arm invested in an Indian social media site that hosted videos showing abuse of women, selling sexual services, and glorifying Hamas’ attacks on Israel, prompting strong criticism from an aid watchdog.
British International Investment is accused of breaking its own rules by failing to make “an appropriate investment for UK aid” in a report that also reveals BII funding for a cosmetic surgery clinic, dating sites, and a debt collection firm in India.
Furthermore, the financing of the social media site came just two months after BII assured parliament that it only backs projects to alleviate poverty or secure a greener economy — raising questions about the truthfulness of that testimony.
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About the author
Rob Merrick
Rob Merrick is the U.K. Correspondent for Devex, covering FCDO and British aid. He reported on all the key events in British politics of the past 25 years from Westminster, including the financial crash, the Brexit fallout, the "Partygate" scandal, and the departures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Rob has worked for The Independent and the Press Association and is a regular commentator on TV and radio. He can be reached at rob.merrick@devex.com.