Stewart to answer 'fixing' claims

Sanjay Suri
India Abroad correspondent in London

England captain Alec Stewart has at last agreed to meet detectives investigating match-fixing allegations.

A date for his appearance before the Condon commission will be fixed on Monday.

Alec Stewart has come under fire for evasive tactics in facing up to charges that he accepted money from an Indian bookmaker.

Stewart, who has denied accepting money from alleged bookie Mukesh Gupta, has nevertheless failed to face the inquiry being conducted by Sir Paul Condon.

Sir Paul said that he is "increasingly frustrated" that he has not been able to interview Stewart.

Sir Paul went public with his complaint after repeated requests failed to bring Stewart to face questioning after a brief meeting in January this year.

Sir Paul issued a statement saying: "Negotiations have been conducted primarily through Mr Stewart's lawyer and the Anti Corruption Unit is becoming increasingly frustrated by the inability of Mr Stewart and his advisers to agree a convenient date."

He said: "The ACU remains determined to meet Mr Stewart in the near future."

The controversy arose after claims by Mukesh Gupta that Stewart received 5000 pounds for supplying information about playing conditions for England matches during their 1993 tour of India.

Gupta did clarify, however, that Stewart had refused to fix matches. Stewart has admitted having met Gupta socially but denied accepting any money from him.

But now in the wake of Sir Paul's attack, Stewart's solicitor, Gerrard Tyrell, said: "Lord Condon will be meeting with Alec to discuss these matters further after the end of the current one-day series."