In a bid to fend off a media frenzy Olympus issued this statement (below) about $687m it paid a financial adviser in relation to its takeover of a medical equipment firm in 2008.

The move came in the wake of continued claims by former CEO Michael Woodford who has reported Olympus to the Serious Fraud Office.

Amateur Photographer is attempting to track down Mr Woodford, who is expected to give a further television interview in the UK this evening.

Olympus Tokyo

The full statement can be read here:https://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/ir/tes/pdf/nr111019.pdf