Total

Total chief under investigation

The boss of Total has been placed under judicial investigation as police step up their probe into alleged corruption involving the French oil firm in Iran.

Christophe de Margerie was interviewed on Wednesday about claims of illegal payments made to secure a natural gas deal with Iran in 1997.

Being put under judicial investigation is the first step to formal charges

Total executive in bribery probe

French oil firm Total says its head of exploration and production, Christophe de Margerie, is being investigated over claims that he paid bribes to win bids.

A French judge has also placed former Total executive Bernard de Combret under investigation.

Total said the allegations centred on deals relating to the United Nations oil-for-food programme in Iraq