The electronics to plastics conglomerate Tyco International has admitted mistakes in relation to a $10bn (�7bn) acquisition of a finance firm.

In a television interview conducted by the former General Electric chairman Jack Welch, Tyco's chief executive and chairman Dennis Kozlowski said he would not have acquired CIT had he known what he does now.

When asked about a $10m cash payment to Tyco director Frank Walsh, and a further $10m to a charity in which Mr Walsh is a trustee, Mr Kozlowski said it would never happen again.

Mr Kozlowski was interviewed on the financial news channel CNBC where his friend, Mr Welch, appeared as a guest interviewer.

Enron worries

Tyco has seen its share price collapse this year, amidst investors' concerns about the conglomerate's accounting methods.

In the wake of the Enron scandal, investors have become increasingly concerned about the way conglomerates can hide their losses within the accounts of their complicated business structures.

Earlier this week, Mr Welch's former company found itself subjected to this new mood of suspicion on Wall Street about company profits.

GE's chief executive Jeffrey Immelt responded to criticism about how transparent its business is by saying the company may disclose more financial detail in its next annual report.

Also this week, two investigations were launched into the bankrupt high speed telecommunications Global Crossing's accounting practices.

One of the investigations was commissioned by the company, the other one is carried out by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

And on Thursday, the Irish drug maker Elan said that the SEC has launched an investigating into claims that its accounts may have been deceptive.