The court official in charge of former Anglo Irish Bank Chairman Sean FitzPatrick’s bankruptcy wants to widen the scope of the questioning of Mr FitzPatrick about ownership of an office block in London, the High Court heard yesterday.

Mr FitzPatrick, a declared bankrupt, is to be cross-examined by lawyers for the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy, Chris Lehane, over ownership of the Woolgate Exchange in London.

Mr Justice Kevin Feeney adjourned the matter to a date later this month.

Lawyers representing Mr FitzPatrick in separate criminal proceedings against him previously stated the examination of their client in the bankruptcy court could prejudice the criminal case and asked the court to adjourn any cross-examination until the criminal case has been completed.

Mr Lehane’s lawyers argued that there was no connection between the issue for cross-examination and the criminal action. The application for a stay on the cross-examination is yet to be ruled on by the court.