Britain urged to probe former Mauritius PM

5 Dariya News

London 05-Oct-2015

Britain's anti-corruption investigators have been urged to probe former Mauritian prime minister Navin Ramgoolam after four million pounds ($6.4 million) in cash was discovered at his home earlier this year, a media report said.Senior government officials from Mauritius have asked the British government to order a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into the alleged corruption by the 68-year-old Indian-origin leader who holds a British passport, the Independent reported on Sunday.Ramgoolam was arrested in February this year after the discovery of the cash in a safe, three months after his surprise loss in a general election.

Police in Mauritius launched an investigation into the claims that the former prime minister or his associates amassed wealth through corrupt deals.Ramgoolam has denied any wrongdoing and said that the money -- which included about half new consecutively numbered US dollar bills -- represented campaign funds given by supporters.The NCA is believed to have contacted the Mauritian authorities for details of credit cards found in Ramgoolam's safe that included two Centurion American Express cards given only to high-spenders.Rangoolam, who owns a Rolls-Royce with a personalised number plate in London, has vowed to open his accounts to independent scrutiny.