Judge named

Paris - Judge Mireille Filippini was named to investigate the funding of France's centre-right Republican Party, a key ally of the Prime Minister, Edouard Balladur. The Justice Minister, Pierre Mehaignerie, ordered the inquiry on Monday after receiving a report alleging the party received huge cash deposits, used an advertising firm as a front for skimming off commissions from companies and acquired its headquarters on 'particularly advantageous' terms from property firms. Reuter