Israeli PM lashes out at police for probe leaks

LOD, Israel (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accused Israeli police on Saturday of leaking parts of a newly-revealed investigation into whether he committed fraud by submitting duplicate travel expense claims.

"The reports and the leaks that emerged a short time after the questioning constitute a grave breach of acceptable norms," Olmert told reporters onboard a plane as he was about to embark for a Mediterranean Union summit in Paris.

"I was amazed by those distorted statements coming from members of law enforcement apparatus ... This could only harm the public's trust," Olmert said.

On Friday, police said they suspected Olmert's travel agent had sent invoices to various public bodies to cover trips by Olmert when he was mayor of Jerusalem and then trade minister. The result was a duplication of incoming funds, with the surplus being placed in an account used to fund Olmert's private travel.

Olmert's attorney said his client rejected the allegations "with both hands."

(Reporting by Dan Williams; Writing by Avida Landau in Jerusalem)