Coulthard Murder Plot Dismissed

Claims made by a British Sunday newspaper alleging that David Coulthard's plane crash before the Spanish Grand Prix was part of a murder plot by a Far East betting syndicate have been dismissed by Scotland Yard.

The front page story in yesterday's Sunday People tabloid said that police were also investigating claims that Coulthard's crash was linked to a similar plane accident last month involving top jockey Frankie Dettori.

The story explained how millions of pounds were set to be won if Coulthard and Dettori had been killed, with claims that the two aircraft had been 'deliberately sabotaged'.

The story also alleged an underwold source had tipped off Scotland Yard about the betting syndicate, with detectives investigating the matter.

However, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said: "We haven't received any allegation of crime regarding these two plane crashes and we are not investigating."

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch commented on the accidents as well, a spokeswoman saying: "As we see it, there is no connection between these two accidents and we are not liasing with police over them."

The two crashes, which saw three pilots killed, are currently being investigated separately by French and English authorities.