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* FTSE 100 down 0.35%, FTSE 250 drops 1.05%
April 14 (Reuters) - UK stock markets edged lower on Monday
as shares in British American Tobacco slumped on reports of a
U.S. criminal probe, while signs that Britain will remain under
lockdown for a longer period dented the mood.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index .FTSE fell 0.35% by 0728 GMT,
giving up early gains and underperforming its European peers as
the UK government signalled that there would be no easing of
lockdown measures this week. A newspaper reported Britain's finance minister as saying
the economy could shrink by up to 30% this quarter.
The midcap index .FTMC was down about 1%.
British American Tobacco BATS.L shed nearly 4% after a
report the cigarette maker is under a criminal investigation by
U.S. regulators over suspected sanctions-busting. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca's shares surged 7% after saying it
would start a clinical trial to assess the potential of
Calquence in the treatment of the exaggerated immune response
associated with COVID-19 infection in severely ill patients.