Bosses at BAE Systems have played down reports the United States is to open its own corruption investigation in to arms deals.

Sources in the department of justice in Washington have said it is almost certain there will be a criminal inquiry into allegations the defence giant made payments to Saudi Arabian defence chiefs in return for multi-million pound contracts.

Lisa Hillary-Tee, spokesman for BAE, which employs about 5,000 people at Samlesbury said: "We know of no proposed investigation by the department of justice into our company."