Milan, Italy - Nigel Stepney, the ex-Ferrari employee accused of leaking information to McLaren, has said he was "surprised" by the actions of the Italian team and again denied any wrongdoing.
Ferrari has dismissed former technical manager Stepney and taken legal action in Italy against him and a McLaren employee "regarding the theft of technical information".
Italian news service ANSA said Stepney, a 47-year-old Briton, rejected the accusations when he returned to Italy after a break in the Philippines.
Police from Ferrari's home base in Maranello have also told Stepney he is being investigated "for various crimes", ANSA said. Two other people were also being investigated.
McLaren, which has suspended a senior employee widely identified in the media as chief designer Mike Coughlan, has assured the Italian team that no information has been incorporated into their cars and has have asked the FIA to inspect their vehicles to prove that is the case.
Italian media said Stepney's Italian home had again been searched on Thursday and that he had been talking with lawyers.
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said McLaren drivers Alonso and Hamilton will not lose championship points as a result of the 'spying' scandal. - Reuters