This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7391414.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Olmert faces new corruption probe Olmert faces new corruption probe
(10 minutes later)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is suspected of illicitly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars before becoming PM, it has emerged.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is suspected of illicitly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars before becoming PM, it has emerged.
The allegations suggest he took campaign money from a US businessman while mayor of Jerusalem.The allegations suggest he took campaign money from a US businessman while mayor of Jerusalem.
The PM admitted he had received help with election fundraising, but said he had never taken bribes. He said he would resign if charges were pressed.The PM admitted he had received help with election fundraising, but said he had never taken bribes. He said he would resign if charges were pressed.
He faces a number of investigations into corruption allegations.He faces a number of investigations into corruption allegations.
The investigation into his affairs was subject to a gagging order but this was partially loosened on Thursday.The investigation into his affairs was subject to a gagging order but this was partially loosened on Thursday.
Mr Olmert was questioned by Israeli police over the allegation last Friday.Mr Olmert was questioned by Israeli police over the allegation last Friday.
'Not a penny''Not a penny'
Jewish US businessman Morris "Moshe" Talansky is said to have given hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to Mr Olmert at a series of meetings.Jewish US businessman Morris "Moshe" Talansky is said to have given hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to Mr Olmert at a series of meetings.
According to Channel 2 TV, police said they did not know how the money was used.According to Channel 2 TV, police said they did not know how the money was used.
Mr Olmert said Mr Talansky had helped him raise election funds but he insisted everything had been legal.Mr Olmert said Mr Talansky had helped him raise election funds but he insisted everything had been legal.
"I never took bribes, I never took a penny for myself," he said in a televised statement to the press on Thursday night."I never took bribes, I never took a penny for myself," he said in a televised statement to the press on Thursday night.
The former mayor of Jerusalem became prime minister in 2006 after leading the Kadima party of Ariel Sharon to victory in the March general election.The former mayor of Jerusalem became prime minister in 2006 after leading the Kadima party of Ariel Sharon to victory in the March general election.
"I was elected by you, citizens of Israel, to be the prime minister and I don't intend to shirk this responsibility," he said responding to the allegations on Thursday."I was elected by you, citizens of Israel, to be the prime minister and I don't intend to shirk this responsibility," he said responding to the allegations on Thursday.
"I will resign from my job if the attorney general decides to issue an indictment against me.""I will resign from my job if the attorney general decides to issue an indictment against me."
In November 2007, Israeli police dropped an investigation into Mr Olmert in connection with a bank privatisation.In November 2007, Israeli police dropped an investigation into Mr Olmert in connection with a bank privatisation.
At the time, they were still investigating two other cases in which Mr Olmert is alleged to have behaved improperly.At the time, they were still investigating two other cases in which Mr Olmert is alleged to have behaved improperly.