Critics face banking probe exclusion

Politicians who have made strong comments about banks may be excluded from the long-awaited inquiry into the banking crisis.

Senior Government figures yesterday also warned that any banking crisis could not prejudice upcoming court cases amid claims that Anglo Irish Bank may be left out initially of the probe.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he did not think an international committee of external experts should lead the probe. He agreed with an earlier claim by Independent TD Shane Ross that there may be problems with some politicians participating.