The Japanese Aum Supreme Truth cult says it has deposed its leader, Shoko Asahara, who is on trial in connection with the poison gas attack on the Tokyo subway system in 1995.

The organisation recognised for the first time that Asahara was probably involved in the attack and it apologised to the families of the twelve people who died.

Aum also announced drastic reforms which include changing its name to Alef and requiring its members to respect the law.

The BBC Tokyo correspondent says the changes are being seen in Japan as a reaction to a new law which gives the authorities increased powers of surveillance over the cult. But she adds that public distrust of the group is unlikely to be diminished by the changes.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service