THE Department of Trade and Industry has denied reports it is considering withdrawing or 'revamping' an application for approval of its £152 million aid package to BMW, which is once again threatening the future of its loss-making subsidiary Rover.

It has been suggested that the DTI wishes to avoid an 18-month European Commission investigation into whether the agreement between the Government and BMW breaches European anti-competition laws. A DTI spokesman said: 'We have absolutely no plans to withdraw our application and we remain in close contact with the commission.'