DTI deplores Maxwell leak

DTI is concerned over leak to the press on MGN report

The UK's Department of Trade and Industry has expressed concern over the leak of a confidential report on the Mirror Group Newspapers.

British newspapers have cited the report, which is in draft form, in recent stories about the DTI's investigation of MGN.

DTI inspectors Sir John Thomas and Raymond Turner are investigating the flotation of MGN by the late Robert Maxwell, and the company's subsequent collapse.

The Sunday Times newspaper reported at the weekend that the DTI was set to heavily criticise Coopers & Lybrand - the accountant that is now part of PricewaterhouseCoopers - for its role in the affair.

The Department deplores that witnesses may have revealed material

DTI

The DTI issued a statement on Wednesday saying that "the Department deplores that witnesses may have revealed material, provided to them in confidence, to the media".

The DTI, which does not usually comment on ongoing investigations, goes on to emphasise that the report is not complete.

Material on evidence provided by witnesses is in the process of being checked, and the DTI says that this material "is often subject to major revision".

The DTI's statement concludes, "These fairness procedures are an integral part of the inspection process to ensure that the report, when completed, is as fair as possible to all parties."

The DTI has not given a timetable for when it will publish a full report into MGN's affairs.