A British model allegedly kidnapped in Italy was "humiliated" by her capture and did not make up the story for publicity, her former agent has said.

The chief suspect in the alleged kidnap of a British model in Milan has said he did not knowingly take part in any crime.

A British model who was allegedly kidnapped in Milan was too terrified to try to get away from her captor when he took her shoe shopping and to buy groceries, her lawyer said.

Australian investment firm Babcock & Brown, who own eircom through a subsidiary company, had their shares suspended yesterday amid concerns about its financial health.

BABCOCK & BROWN has denied reports that it will sell Eircom, its Irish telecoms subsidiary within the year.