Romania denies horsemeat role

Prime Minister Victor Ponta protested his country's innocence in the case which has grabbed headlines in Britain and France.

Frozen Findus lasagnes found to contain 100 per cent horse - the latest product to test positive for phoney "beef" - have sparked a continent-wide witch-hunt.

Supermarket chains in France have since withdrawn a series of ready meal products including lasagna, moussaka and cannelloni.

Findus Sweden has already signalled that it plans to sue the suppliers responsible in a bid to restore its tattered reputation.

French industry chiefs have been called in for a crisis summit hosted by the authorities.

The suspect meat was supplied by French firm Comigel's Luxemburg plant.

It in turn was sold the meat by another French firm, Poujol.

But investigators have since pointed the finger elsewhere, alleging a complex network of dodgy deals that has led back to Romania via Cypriot and Dutch traders.

The eastern European state has a sizeable horsemeat industry, exporting millions of pounds' worth a year.

And today Mr Ponta told reporters: "I am very angry.

"From the information we currently have, no company from Romania or on Romanian territory has breached European rules."

His country could face EU export restrictions if blame for the scandal is placed on its doorstep.