George Pell's lawyer calls for investigation into claim bribes paid to influence sexual assault case

Italian newspapers report Pell rival Cardinal Giovanni Becciu is suspected of paying $1.1m to Australian witness

The barrister who led the defence of Cardinal George Pell says an international investigation should be launched into extraordinary claims that bribes were paid to influence the sexual assault case involving the senior Australian cleric.

Italian newspapers have claimed that Cardinal Giovanni Becciu, a rival of Pell, was suspected of paying 700,000 (A$1.1m) to an Australian witness in the case.