Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Monday, 13 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 November 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Monday, 27 November 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if Sir Thomas Legg was informed of the investigations into Mr Mikhail Karacostas' involvement in West Africa when he conducted his inquiry into the Sandline affair; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Sir Thomas Legg was informed of the investigations into Mr. Mikhail Karacostas' involvement in West Africa when he conducted his inquiry into the Sandline affair; and if he will make a statement. [138753] Mr. Hain: Mr. Karacostas was the subject of a police investigation, involving a number of individuals and countries. He was arrested in March 1998 as a consequence of this investigation. The case came to court in the UK in May 1999. These matters did not form part of Sir Thomas Legg's investigation, which reported on 24 July 1998.

Secondary information