Iraq to officially investigate UNDP bribery allegations made by The Guardian in 'post-ISIS reconstruction' scheme

The Iraqi Integrity Commission has launched an investigation into corruption allegations linked to the UN's work in Iraq, following accusations of bribery published earlier this month by British newspaper The Guardian, Report informs via The New Arab.

The announcement was made on the commission's official Facebook page.

The Guardian report alleged UN employees in Iraq working under a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had accepted bribes from Iraqi businessmen to secure contracts for reconstruction projects.

The Integrity Commission responded by forming a team to investigate the claims and is seeking evidence and clarifications from the newspaper's editors, according to its statement.

The UN mission in Iraq (UNAMI) confirmed the departure of its Special Representative, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, but distanced itself from the corruption allegations against sister agency UNDP and denied this was linked to the scandal.

UNAMI emphasised its commitment to "accuracy" and urged the media to avoid "misleading information."