Blair government covered up negotiations, politician says

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004 | 9:14 a.m.

U.K. Conservative Party Leader Michael Howard said Prime Minister Tony Blair's government tried to cover up discussions with U.S. casino operators about loosening money-laundering rules.

Speaking to the House of Commons in London, Howard quoted from an e-mail sent by a civil servant in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, asking casino companies for their views on proposed money laundering rules.

"Discussions have taken place on money laundering between the Department of Culture and the biggest casino operators in the United States," Howard said during Blair's weekly question time at Parliament in London. "The secretary of state tried to cover it up. What is the prime minister going to do about it?"

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