French politician placed under investigation

The former French Interior Minister, Charles Pasqua, has been placed under formal investigation over allegations that he used illegal funds to finance an election campaign.

The move could lead to charges being brought.

Mr Pasqua denies allegations that he obtained more than nine-hundred thousand dollars of unauthorised funds to help finance his successful campaign in European parliamentary elections in 1999.

He enjoys immunity from prosecution because he's a member of the European parliament.

Mr Pasqua, who is 74, was a key ally of President Jacques Chirac but broke away two years ago to form his own right-wing party the Rally for France. He's already being investigated in a separate inquiry into arms sales.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service