Rolls Royce had already reached a pound500 million ($650 million, 574 million euros) agreement with the SFO over claims that corruption and bribery were used to win business in China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Russia, Nigeria, China and Malaysia.

The SFO said it had now concluded that there would be "no prosecution of individuals associated with the company".

The investigation into GlaxoSmithKline, meanwhile, related to commercial practices by the firm, its subsidiaries and associated individuals.

"After an extensive and careful examination I have concluded that there is either insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction or it is not in the public interest to bring a prosecution in these cases," said SFO director Lisa Osofsky.

"In the Rolls-Royce case, the SFO investigation led to the company taking responsibility for corrupt conduct spanning three decades, seven jurisdictions and three businesses, for which it paid a fine of pound497.25 million."

This figure, agreed in January 2017 as part of a so-called deferred prosecution agreement, was comprised of surrendered profits of pound258 million and a financial penalty of pound239 million.

Rolls-Royce is also paying an estimated pound13 million to cover the SFO's costs.

The firm said it would not be commenting on Friday's decision, beyond saying it was cooperating fully with the authorities following the 2017 deal.

But anti-corruption campaigners Transparency International condemned the SFO's move.

"It is absurd that yet again a company can admit to bribery and yet neither the bribe payers nor the management team that allowed the crime to happen are held responsible," said executive director Robert Barrington.

ar/dt/jh

GLAXOSMITHKLINE

ROLLS-ROYCE HOLDINGS