OSINFO - Open Sources Information

A CORPORATE espionage company headed by Llanelli-born former Tory leader Michael Howard paid out £1m after it was accused of impersonating MI6 officials.

The company, Diligence, has made the settlement after accusations of stealing information from accountancy firm KPMG.

Mr Howard is European chairman of Diligence, which is alleged to have engaged in deception.

The firm's chief executive, Nicholas Day, has admitted Diligence did use subterfuge, including the use of false identities and bogus shell companies during its investigations. He also confirmed Mr Howard was aware of how the company operated before he joined and said, 'We are open about what we do and how we do it.'