British politicians were forced to justify their attendance at an investment event hosted by the Malaysian government in London this week to promote Malaysia as an investment destination.

UK minister in the foreign office, Hugo Swire, told the Wall Street Journal he did not want to cast final judgement over corruption allegations in Malaysia.

He also said British government support for the investment conference did not contradict an anti-corruption conference in London the week before.

“What we decided there and what was discussed there has universal application but I am not aware that that should impact on anything we are discussing this afternoon,” Swire reportedly said.

“I am not setting myself up as a judge and a jury.”

Jonathan Marland, a House of Lords member and former British trade envoy told the Wall Street Journal he did not want to interfere in Malaysia’s internal matters by commenting on 1MDB.

Marland, who introduced Najib at the event, reportedly described the event as a “huge love-in”.

“When our country was on its knees you came and invested,” Marland reportedly told Najib, referring to the RM4 billion Battersea redevelopment by SP Setia, Sime Darby and the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).