Sainsbury's buyer in bribery probe

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Potato buyer John Maylam was questioned by City of London police earlier this week after accusations he received money from Greenvale, a potato producer.

It is understood the alleged payments total some £3 million. A member of Greenvale staff was also arrested and questioned.

Greenvale won the Queen's Award for Innovation in 2006 and is one of the country's leading potato suppliers. It supplies about half of Sainsbury's potatoes.

The arrests were made by City of London police. A spokesman said: "City of London police executed and completed search warrants at two residential addresses in Cambridgeshire and Shropshire and two business premises in Shropshire on March 13.

"Two men were arrested on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, and were subsequently bailed."

Greenvale has packing operations in Shropshire, Cambridgeshire and in Berwickshire, Scotland.

A spokesman said a number of staff had been suspended following an internal investigation and Sainsbury's notified.

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury's said: "We can confirm that allegations have been made concerning certain payments and benefits by a supplier to an individual employed by us.

"We have the highest standards of corporate governance and, following inquiries, we have passed our findings to the police for further investigation."