AN INQUIRY into Internet use at the British Library has led to the suspension of some staff from the library's Boston Spa branch - for allegedly looking at website porn.

The library has said the inquiry is an internal matter and no crimes have been committed.

But a spokesman today confirmed nine staff had been suspended, from Boston Spa, the library's main branch in London, and its newspaper branch at Colindale, north London.

He was unable to say how many of the suspended staff were from Boston Spa, but said all nine would face disciplinary hearings "over the next couple of weeks."

The library holds a huge collection of pornography, for research purposes, some of it dating back to the 19th century.

Andy Cook, the library's director of human resources, said: "The British Library regrets to announce that following a routine internal investigation into Internet use, the library discovered that a number of staff appear to have been using the facility for inappropriate purposes and contrary to their contractual obligations.

"The library has suspended those concerned pending internal investigations.

"We would like to stress that no British Library employee who has been suspended has been involved in any criminal activity and the individuals concerned are considered innocent pending the outcome of the disciplinary procedures."

Updated: 12:15 Wednesday, December 11, 2002