Never attempted to influence VVIP helicopter deal: AgustaWestland

The chopper manufacturer also denied that it had hired Guido Haschke and Christian Michel as agents for the VVIP deal. As reported,the duo are said to be the middlemen in the Indian deal,as per an investigative report filed by Italian prosecutors.

AgustaWestland never appointed,formally or informally,Guido Haschke,Mr Christian Michel or any other person as its agents and/or intermediaries in the VVIP programme. Therefore,the company never paid any commission to them, the company said.

The company,however,did not elaborate on its connections and associations with the two alleged middlemen,limiting its comment that they were not connected to the VVIP programme. As demonstrated by a series of wire taps and phone intercepts that have been presented in Italian courts,the duo were in touch with top executives of the company and regularly discussed the Indian VVIP helicopter contract.