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Identity 'non issue' for donors Identity 'non issue' for donors
(about 6 hours later)
Four businessmen involved in the cash for honours inquiry have told the BBC they were willing to be identified. Four businessmen involved in the cash for honours inquiry have told the BBC they are willing to be identified.
The BBC's Robert Peston says this contradicts a statement Tony Blair reportedly made to Labour figures.The BBC's Robert Peston says this contradicts a statement Tony Blair reportedly made to Labour figures.
The prime minister met Labour's National Executive Committee in March to explain why he had allowed the party to take loans from wealthy individuals.The prime minister met Labour's National Executive Committee in March to explain why he had allowed the party to take loans from wealthy individuals.
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.
The probe began after it was revealed all three main parties were given secret loans ahead of the last election.The probe began after it was revealed all three main parties were given secret loans ahead of the last election.
BBC Business Editor Robert Peston said that according to an NEC member, Mr Blair said: "Anyone giving to Labour was trashed in the media and so potential donors preferred the confidentiality of a loan."BBC Business Editor Robert Peston said that according to an NEC member, Mr Blair said: "Anyone giving to Labour was trashed in the media and so potential donors preferred the confidentiality of a loan."
Our correspondent added that he has spoken to the four men, or their representatives, and they have all said they neither asked for, nor required anonymity. They also claim the pressure to make secret loans came from within the Labour party.Our correspondent added that he has spoken to the four men, or their representatives, and they have all said they neither asked for, nor required anonymity. They also claim the pressure to make secret loans came from within the Labour party.
Sir Gulam Noon said it never occurred to him that his identity as a lender would not be made public, while Dr Chai Patel says disclosure of identity was a non-issue for him.Sir Gulam Noon said it never occurred to him that his identity as a lender would not be made public, while Dr Chai Patel says disclosure of identity was a non-issue for him.
And Sir David Garrard and Barry Townsley both said they were "not remotely concerned" about being identified.And Sir David Garrard and Barry Townsley both said they were "not remotely concerned" about being identified.
It now appears that many, if not all, of the members of the Cabinet at around the time of the 2005 general election, apart from Tony Blair, have received letters from or been contacted in some other way by detectives.It now appears that many, if not all, of the members of the Cabinet at around the time of the 2005 general election, apart from Tony Blair, have received letters from or been contacted in some other way by detectives.