New British High Commissioner to Malawi Michael Nevin says Britain will wait until a new director is appointed at the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Malawi before resuming financial support to the body.

Nevin says, as matters stand now, it is difficult for his government to have confidence in the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) as it has no leadership.

“Obviously an organisation needs leadership and all we are looking for is for the ACB leadership to be in place for us to have confidence with the organization we are working with,” he said.

Nevin, who succeeds Fegus Cochraine -Dyte who was unceremoniously sent packing after his diplomatic cable destined for London leaked locally in 2011, observed that some decisions taken by the United Kingdom are based on trends and an overall picture of events and not based on a onetime event.

Nevin was speaking to reporters at the New State House in Lilongwe on Wednesday immediately after presenting his letters of credence to President Joyce Banda with whom he had a brief briefing.

In a statement distributed after his meeting with president Banda,

Nevin says he is here to champion Malawi to the UK and internationally and expects that his host would demonstrate that “our renewed confidence in Malawi is well founded; and that there is sustained political will to address issues facing Malawi”.

“We applaud the decisive steps you have taken to date such as undertaking a difficult, but necessary devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha and the repeal of laws that restricted democracy and accountability.

“We welcome too your commitment to continue on the path towards further stabilisation of the economy and food security, to create conditions for growth, to strengthen the rule of law and democratic practice and to tackle corruption and unnecessary government expenditure,” he says.

Britain, Malawi’s colonial master, has over the years been among the key budget supporters.

However, this year Britain has chosen to review this position until towards the end of this year.