The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched a criminal investigation into mining giant Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC), amid reports that its former law firm Dechert uncovered evidence of wrongdoing during an internal probe into corruption allegations at the FTSE 100 company.

Dechert, which was removed as lead counsel on the investigation earlier this month, has reportedly sent an eight-page letter to ENRC detailing claims of payments to African presidents, misappropriated cash and document destruction at the mining company, according to a report in The Sunday Times. ENRC denies the allegations.