Calls for bank probe inspector

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan is facing calls to appoint a High Court inspector to the Anglo Irish Bank inquiry after it emerged that some files are being withheld from investigators on the grounds of “legal privilege”.

The appointment of a High Court inspector would supplement the legal powers of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, the gardaí and the Financial Regulator who are already investigating suspect transactions involving billions of euro at the now nationalised financial institution.

Labour Party spokeswoman on finance, Joan Burton, said the “notion that there would be legal privilege in relation to a fraud inquiry into a nationalised organisation sounds disturbing”.