Stewart interviewed by ICC Anti-Corruption Unit

England's stand-in captain Alec Stewart has been questioned by International Cricket Council's Anti Corruption Unit regarding allegations that he accepted money from an Indian bookmaker eight years ago.

Stewart, currently leading the England side in the absence of Nasser Hussain, was interviewed by investigators led by ACU chief Sir Paul Condon, ICC said in a brief statement on Tuesday.

"A report in relation to the allegations against Alec Stewart, will be submitted to the England and Wales Cricket Board," the statement said.

Bookmaker Mukesh Gupta, in his deposition before CBI, had alleged having given 5000 pounds to Stewart for pitch and weather information during the England tour of India in 1993, a charge the Englishman has denied. Stewart said he might have met Gupta at social gatherings but has never accepted money from him.

Gupta has been given a deadline of July 1 by ICC to become a formal approver and come out with evidence to substantiate his allegations made to CBI.

Stewart had expressed "total shock" when Gupta's allegations were made public in CBI report on betting and match-fixing last November and hoped that his reputation, when he finished playing, would be "a good one not just in England,but throughout the world".

Mail Cricket Editor