UK ministers have confirmed in the House of Lords that an investigation is under way into claims that UK banks could be unwittingly linked to a corruption scandal in South Africa.

South Africa's parliament descended into chaos as opposition politicians denounced President Jacob Zuma as a "scoundrel" and "rotten to the core" because of corruption allegations and then brawled with guards who dragged them out of the chamber.

South Africa's ruling party the African National Congress (ANC) has lost the metropolitan area which includes the capital in its biggest election setback since it took power 22 years ago.