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Milburn quizzed in honours probe Milburn quizzed in honours probe
(40 minutes later)
Ex-minister and 2005 election supremo Alan Milburn has been interviewed by police probing the cash-for-honours affair, the BBC has learned. Ex-minister and 2005 Labour election supremo Alan Milburn has revealed he was interviewed by police investigating the cash-for-honours affair.
Chancellor Gordon Brown and Deputy PM John Prescott have also been contacted about the loans made to Labour before the election, it is understood.Chancellor Gordon Brown and Deputy PM John Prescott have also been contacted about the loans made to Labour before the election, it is understood.
They are among those asked to reveal "formally in writing" what they knew.They are among those asked to reveal "formally in writing" what they knew.
Police are investigating whether donors received honours 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' 'Not under caution'
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. In a statement, Mr Milburn said: "Following a request from the police, I have been interviewed as a witness.
Those receiving the letter were also reportedly asked what they know about the subsequent nomination of lenders for peerages. "The police stressed I was not a suspect, and the interview did not take place under caution."
The officer in charge of the investigation, John Yates, has previously told MPs that "you go where the evidence takes you". It is understood Mr Milburn, a former health secretary, is also expecting to receive a letter from the police after telling a newspaper that he had known about the loans "about halfway through" the 2005 election campaign.
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, according to party sources.
Those receiving the letter were also reportedly asked what they knew about the subsequent nomination of lenders for peerages.
The Scotland yard 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.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.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.
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. There is some confusion about how widely the letters have been sent - new NEC member Walter Wolfgang told the BBC he had not been contacted and had not heard of anyone else being contacted.
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.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.
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".