I note your recent article and the view that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) considers that the ban on referral fees probably breaches competition law (see [2003] Gazette, 23 October, 1).

I was always under the impression that the standards of business in this country were meant to be higher than in other parts of the world where, I understand, it is common practice to receive favours in return for bribes.

This is generally frowned upon.

When does a referral fee become a corrupt bribe? Could the OFT please clarify before pressing its case further?

David Marsden, Matthew Arnold & Baldwin, Watford