Hedge fund Paulson & Co has been forced on the defensive over the firm's role in the Goldman Sachs fraud dispute.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to hold fire on any changes to interest rates this month, but some members are growing increasingly concerned about inflation.

The FTSE was down 10.1 points, or 0.17%, to 5733.95 in early trading as the volcanic ash concerns continued to hit travel firms.

Goldman Sachs was today accused of fraud by a US financial watchdog over the make-up and marketing of a debt product tied to sub-prime mortgages.

The FTSE has continued Friday's sharp rise in early trading - up 20.99 points (0.36%) at 5,791.97 - buoyed by the eurozone's agreement to offer a £30bn loan package to Greece.

HSBC is to launch the latest addition to its ETF range tomorrow, offering exposure to the FTSE 250.

A total of 91 offshore funds will be added across 17 sectors of the Investment Management Association's classification system today.

Mining stocks led the FTSE 100 up 25.69 points (0.45%) to 5,736.35 in early trading after the weaker dollar boosted gold prices.

Telecoms groups and miners including Rio Tinto helped the FTSE 100 off to a good start, up 16.37 (0.29%) to 5,719.39.

HSBC Open funds manager Nick Pothier is to leave the company and return to his native South Africa.