Lawyers representing the former Chilean military ruler, General Pinochet, have reacted angrily to extracts of a confidential British report on his health being published in two Spanish newspapers.

The report had been sent to the governments of four countries seeking the general's extradition on torture charges , after a decision by the British Home Secretary, Jack Straw, to keep its contents secret, had been overturned.

The document was reportedly released on the condition it remain unpublished.

The British government says it is asking Spain to investigate the leak , which says the general has suffered extensive brain damage and would have difficulty in understanding and answering questions at a trial. Supporters of the general in Chile say the report reinforces their claim that he is too ill to stand trial.

A Spanish judge who has worked to secure General Pinochet's extradition to Spain , Montserrat Comas, has called for a new medical examination.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service