The chief of staff to the president of Madagascar has been charged with a bribery offence amid claims that a UK mining company was asked to pay £225,000 for a licence to operate in the country.

Romy Andrianarisoa, 46, and French national Philippe Tabuteau, 54, were arrested in London last week at a meeting where it is alleged they demanded the payment from Gemfields along with a 5% equity stake.

Gemfields reported the alleged demand to the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) which launched an investigation.

Andrianarisoa and Tabuteau were charged with requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting a bribe, and appeared in court on Saturday where they were remanded in custody, the NCA said.

The pair will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 8.

Joanne Jakymec, chief crown prosecutor for the CPS, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the NCA to charge Romy Andrianarisoa and Philippe Tabuteau with requesting a bribe.

“The CPS made the decision to authorise charges after reviewing a file of evidence from the NCA relating to allegations of bribery.”