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Police contact Brown on honours Milburn quizzed in honours probe
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown has been contacted by police probing the cash-for-honours affair, Labour sources have said. Ex-minister and 2005 election supremo Alan Milburn has been interviewed by police probing the cash-for-honours affair, the BBC has learned.
The chancellor has not been interviewed but been asked to declare "formally in writing" what he knew about the secret £14m loans before the last election. Chancellor Gordon Brown and Deputy PM John Prescott have also been contacted about the loans made to Labour before the election, it is understood.
Other members of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee have been asked to do the same, the source added. They are among those asked to reveal "formally in writing" what they knew.
Police are investigating whether any honours were given in return for cash - all involved deny wrongdoing. Police are investigating whether donors received honours in return for cash - all involved deny wrongdoing.
'Follow evidence'
Mr Brown and other members of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee have been asked to declare in writing what they knew about loans worth £14m made to the party in the run-up to the 2005 election campaign, according to party sources.
Those receiving the letter were also reportedly asked what they know about the subsequent nomination of lenders for peerages.
The officer in charge of the investigation, John Yates, has previously told MPs that "you go where the evidence takes you".
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said it was for this reason that friends of Prime Minister Tony Blair expect him to be interviewed - possibly under caution - in the weeks to come.
However, they insist Mr Blair, who sits on the NEC, has had no contact with the police as yet.
It is understood that Mr Milburn - a former health secretary - is expecting to receive a letter from the police after telling a newspaper that he had known about the loans "about halfway through the campaign".
Labour pointed out early on in the inquiry that Mr Brown, because of his role as chancellor, had taken no role in party funding.Labour pointed out early on in the inquiry that Mr Brown, because of his role as chancellor, had taken no role in party funding.
Downing Street has implied that Tony Blair has not been approached by the police to declare in writing what he knew about loans to Labour. There is some confusion about how widely the letters have been sent on the NEC - new member Walter Wolfgang told the BBC he had not been contacted and had not heard of anyone else being contacted.
This is despite reports that all members of the party's governing body, the NEC, on which Mr Blair sits, have been asked to do so. Police are thought to have spoken to, or contacted, more than 50 people, including some of Mr Blair's closest advisers, and, from the Conservative side, former leader Michael Howard.
The prime minister's official spokesman said "nothing has changed", implying that no approach had been made.
The investigators are thought to have spoken to, or contacted, more than 50 people, including some of Mr Blair's closest advisers, and, from the Conservative side, former leader Michael Howard.
Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald - a former colleague of Cherie Blair - and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, have decided to stand aside from decisions related to the investigation.Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald - a former colleague of Cherie Blair - and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, have decided to stand aside from decisions related to the investigation.
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith - who attends Cabinet and who is close to Mr Blair - on Tuesday said he would not stand aside from the process but promised to act "in the interests of justice".Attorney General Lord Goldsmith - who attends Cabinet and who is close to Mr Blair - on Tuesday said he would not stand aside from the process but promised to act "in the interests of justice".