Sharon's Son to Admit Election Offences

The son of the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, is to plead guilty to charges that he took part in illegal fundraising for his father's 1999 election campaign.

A lawyer representing Omri Sharon said the Israeli MP admitted charges of falsifying corporate documents, perjuring himself and breaking electoral law.

Under a plea deal, prosecutors dropped more serious charges of fraud and breach of trust, which carry a maximum jail sentence of seven years. They are, however, still demanding that he serve some time in prison. Mr Sharon's legal team has asked for a fine.

Israeli television reported that the MP, who is also one of his father's closest advisers, could be offered a nine-month prison term on condition he leaves politics.

The investigation began with the uncovering of documents suggesting illegal campaign funds had been laundered.

Charges were dropped against Ariel Sharon for lack of evidence in February this year, but proceeded against Omri.

Campaign law in 1999 allowed politicians to collect 800,000 shekels (£97,000) for party primaries; Omri Sharon collected about 6m shekels.

As he is an MP, the attorney general, Menahem Mazuz, is expected to ask parliament to lift his immunity.

The case has proved embarassing to Ariel Sharon at a time when his continued leadership of the Likud party is under threat from hardliners who are angry at Israel's withdrawal from Gaza.

The defeat of Shimon Peres as Labour leader threatens to pull the fragile ruling coalition apart, forcing early elections.