French police search finance ministry offices

French police searched offices in the finance ministry and the headquarters of chemical firm Rhodia yesterday in what a legal source said were moves linked to an investigation into the company's past accounts.

Finance Minister Thierry Breton headed Rhodia's audit committee during 1999-2002, the period under investigation. He is visiting the United States but has been informed about the search, a spokeswoman said.

She confirmed police searched offices in the ministry but declined to comment on whether the search was linked to the Rhodia probe. It was not immediately clear whether police had searched Mr Breton's office or other offices in the ministry. The legal source said the search at the ministry had been requested by examining magistrate Henri Pons, who is co-leading the investigation into Rhodia.

"It (the search at the Finance Ministry) is in the framework of Rhodia," a legal source said.

Mr Breton's lawyer, Claude Serra, said he hoped the search would clarify matters.

"We hope the search conducted at the Finance Ministry was really necessary for the investigation and that it will enlighten the judge," Mr Serra told Reuters

"In any case, the foreseeable repercussions of this move would appear disproportionate in relation to Thierry Breton's involvement in the Rhodia matter," he added.

Rhodia said police were searching its offices and it was cooperating fully with their investigation.