A BUSINESSMAN claims an attempt was made to trick him into shipping equipment to Iraq for treating victims of weapons of mass destruction.

Roland Hudson, managing director of Interpower International, of Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, believes last August's attempt was evidence that Saddam Hussein did have chemical weapons.

A faxed inquiry from a trading agent in a "neutral Middle East country" asked for a quote for 200 Karcher units, a German high-pressure washer used for decontamination. Mr Hudson found a British equivalent and costed the order at more than £400,000.

Later, the agent told him that the order was destined for Iraq - but the customer had not pursued the inquiry.

Mr Hudson said: "When I spoke to the agent face-to-face on a visit to the Middle East, he told me that the showers had indeed been destined for Iraq.

"Had I realised where these showers were going, we would not have quoted a price. It would have been against Government regulations. I am convinced that this was compelling evidence that Saddam had chemical weapons and was prepared to use them."

Rainer Muhleisen, product manager of Karcher, in Winnenden, Germany, said the units' only purpose was to decontaminate victims of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, for civil defence use and "disaster control".

Professor Paul Rogers, a Gulf security expert, said the view that weapons of mass destruction were involved was "a reasonable assumption".

A Downing Street spokes-man said: "We would want to see any documentation before giving instant responses."