The political manoeuvrings around Tom DeLay intensified yesterday as the Republican chairman of the House ethics committee promised to investigate charges against the House majority leader, if Democrats on the panel agreed to adopt new rules.

The offer follows weeks of deadlock at the committee and charges by Democrats that the rules had been changed to protect Mr DeLay. While some saw it as a ploy to neutralise the charges, it may also mark an acknowledgement by Republicans, who have been largely supportive of the powerful Texan, that a recent flurry of allegations against him merit inquiry.