It could be several weeks before the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) decides whether or not to launch an official investigation into claims made by former Olympus CEO Michael Woodford.

Amateur Photographer (AP) understands that, in general terms, it can take the SFO several weeks, if not more, before going ahead with any probe.

The decision-making period varies, however.

Yesterday, the SFO confirmed to AP that it had received a visit from Woodford, on Monday.

The SFO today declined to comment further.

Earlier today, Olympus Tokyo confirmed it paid $687m to financial advisers over an acquisition in 2008, but dismissed the ousted chief executive’s claim that this was excessive, saying his report was ‘open to misinterpretation’.