POLICE have launched an investigation into allegations that information on the explosion that killed two China Light and Power engineers at a power plant last year had been withheld. The matter was originally in the hands of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), but after legal advice all relevant information was passed to the police. The ICAC received a report concerning the evidence given at the inquest into the deaths of Wong Kwong-yu, 38, and Yip Ka-pui, 40, in a gas blast at China Light and Power's Castle Peak plant a year ago. A statement issued by the Legal Department last night said Attorney-General Jeremy Mathews was ''gathering facts'' concerning certain allegations made about the inquest. ''The matter is now under serious review but it is premature to decide at this point whether the Attorney-General should exercise his power under Section 20 of the Coroner's Ordinance to direct further investigation and to require the coroner to reopen the inquiry,'' the statement said. Coroner Warner Banks said he would advise Mr Mathews by 5 pm today whether he believed the inquiry should resume. An ICAC spokesman denied last Friday that there was an ICAC investigation arising from the CLP inquest. The spokesman confirmed yesterday that a complaint over the issue had been received. ''Following assessment and receipt of legal advice all relevant information in our possession was referred to the Royal Hong Kong Police,'' the spokesman said. A police spokesman said officers were discussing the matter with the Legal Department. At the end of the inquest, held from April 26 to May 27, the jury returned verdicts of accidental death on Wong and Yip. The company was first represented by counsel Michael Ford but he was replaced by counsel Nigel Kat during the inquest. No reasons were given for the move in open court. Mr Ford claimed he was sacked because he refused to withhold vital information from the jury despite requests by executives of CLP and Exxon, the partner in the Castle Peak Power Company (CAPCO). If he had complied he would have contravened the Hong Kong Bar's code of conduct, he said. CLP company secretary, John Leigh, yesterday put forward his company's position to the Attorney-General. CLP spokesman Dominic Tai Kuen-kwan said: ''He told the Attorney-General that we believe these allegations are not valid. The company has always acted in good faith and in accordance with legal advice.'' Lee Reed, executive director of Exxon, broke the official si-lence surrounding the case to deny allegations that Exxon had tried to keep its name out of any investigations and legal proceedings in Hong Kong. Mr Reed said the relationship between Exxon and CLP was well-documented. ''It would seem rather strange [to play down our involvement],'' he said. ''We have been in business with China Light and Power since the early 60s.'' Mr Ford has been gagged by an injunction sought by CLP which stops him disclosing any information he obtained while acting as its counsel. He is believed to be preparing to fight the injunction. He has filed a lawsuit in Texas against CAPCO for US$25 million (about HK$194 million) for loss of income, harm to reputation, malice and emotional distress following his sacking. Asked if any complaints had been lodged with the Hong Kong Bar Association against Mr Ford, association chairman Jacqueline Leong said: ''I do not discuss personal matters concerning members. ''The conduct of any barrister, including his compliance with his obligations under the code of conduct, is a matter to be considered by the Bar Council as it thinks necessary,'' Ms Leong said. The widows of the two victims said they will remain unsure where the blame for their husbands deaths should lie unless the inquest was reopened.