LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline onSunday confirmed the existence an intimate video recording ofits former China head Mark Reilly, which the Sunday Timesreported kicked off a bribery investigation that has damaged thedrugmaker's business in China.
The Sunday Times said the recording was shot withoutReilly's knowledge or consent at his Shanghai flat and showedReilly, who is separated from his wife, with his Chinesegirlfriend. It was not clear who shot the video or with whatmotivation.
A GSK spokesman confirmed the tape existed but did notcomment on how it related to the alleged bribery scandal inwhich Chinese police have accused Britain's biggest drugmaker oftransferring as much as 3 billion yuan ($482 million) throughtravel agencies to bribe doctors and officials.
Reuters was not independently able to verify the linkbetween the tape and the bribery case.
Reilly, who last month was charged with corruption, was notavailable for comment.
GSK, which described the bribery allegations as "shameful"when they came to light last year, said on Sunday that it wascontinuing to cooperate fully with the Chinese authorities onthe ongoing investigation.
"The issues relating to our China business are verydifficult and complicated," it added in a statement. ($1 = 6.2251 Chinese Yuan Renminbi) (Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Jane Barrett and DianeCraft)
Glaxosmithkline (GSK)
