Arms deal inquiry may re-open

ROBERT SHELDON, chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said last night he had not ruled out re-opening an investigation into the pounds 20bn Al Yamamah arms deal, in the wake of fresh allegations that Mark Thatcher made pounds 12m from Saudis in the deal, writes David Hellier.

'I have received representations from all sorts of people which I will be considering,' he said. 'It remains to be seen what the committee decides to do but nothing is ruled out.'

Michael Meacher, Labour spokesman on public service, called on Mr Sheldon to investigate a series of 1980s arms deals, including whether corporate bodies, among them the Tory party, and individuals received pay-offs.