Arto Merisalo, former managing director of bankrupt Nova, has been banned from attendending the Centre Party's cruise in September, Finnish tabloid Iltalehti reported on Monday.

Timo Laaninen, Centre's party secretary, informed Merisalo that he would not be sold a ticket for the cruise last week, Iltalehti reported.

According to Laaninen, having Merisalo on the boat would harm the party's image.

Merisalo booked his place on the cruise during the spring.

STT