The Guardian has released a National Audit Office report on corruption within the 1985 British-Saudi al-Yamamah arms deal after a 30-year secrecy battle.

The report, which was heavily redacted and previously only accessible to two MPs, suggests the Ministry of Defence's top civil servant misled Parliament concerning commission payments.

The Ministry of Defence had previously argued against the report's release, claiming it could anger Saudi Arabia and jeopardize jobs.

Evidence of secret payments made by the MoD to a Saudi prince and the diversion of funds were highlighted in the now-public report.

The investigation by the NAO was conducted in private, and its findings were initially suppressed due to potential risks to future arms deals.

BAE Systems, a party to the al-Yamamah deal, insists that all payments were made with the approval of the UK government and maintained confidentiality.

The Ministry of Defence has chosen not to comment on the recent allegations brought to light by the release of the report.