Book claims Maxwell was Mossad spy

British media tycoon Robert Maxwell was murdered by the Israeli secret services, according to a new book, which also alleges that the millionaire was an Israeli spy and had links to organised crime in Eastern Europe.

The book, by British writer Gordon Thomas and Irish journalist Martin Dillon, is based on interviews with former Mossad agents and former Bulgarian, British and US intelligence officers.

It claims that Mossad decided to get rid of Maxwell because he was threatening to expose his knowledge of Israeli secrets.

Maxwell's sudden death at sea in November 1991 off the Canary Islands brought about the collapse of his worldwide publishing empire.