London: Saddam Hussein hid his 35 billion Pounds fortune with the Queen's banker Coutts and Co and 17 other London banks, the ousted Iraqi leader has admitted during his interrogation by British intelligence agencies, a media report said today (Jan 4, 2004).

Saddam has confirmed that he took bulk of the fortune from the Central Bank of Iraq, transferred it to banks in the Middle East and then deposited it under false names in London, according to the 'Sunday Express'.

Later, the money was transferred to banks in Switzerland, Germany, Japan and Bulgaria.

A spokesman for Coutts said, "We have not been formally advised of the comments alleged to have been made by Saddam Hussein during the course of his interrogation."

"However, in the event of any investigation into UK banking transactions we would, of course, fully co-operate with the relevant authorities."

Saddam has named top bankers and accountants who helped hide a fortune in currency and gold. They will be questioned in the coming weeks, the tabloid said.