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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Cherie Blair in boy 'slap' probe | Cherie Blair in boy 'slap' probe |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Cherie Blair has been investigated by police over claims that she motioned to slap a 17-year-old boy. | Cherie Blair has been investigated by police over claims that she motioned to slap a 17-year-old boy. |
| Strathclyde Police took statements from witnesses to the alleged incident, which occurred at a national school sports event in Glasgow last Saturday. | Strathclyde Police took statements from witnesses to the alleged incident, which occurred at a national school sports event in Glasgow last Saturday. |
| Mrs Blair was reported to have made a playful gesture to a boy who made a "rabbit ears" gesture behind her head. | Mrs Blair was reported to have made a playful gesture to a boy who made a "rabbit ears" gesture behind her head. |
| Police said "it had been established no incident had taken place" and that the inquiry into the matter was now closed. | Police said "it had been established no incident had taken place" and that the inquiry into the matter was now closed. |
| Six detectives were sent to investigate after officials from the Child Protection in Sport Unit complained to police. | Six detectives were sent to investigate after officials from the Child Protection in Sport Unit complained to police. |
| This is a case of Cherie being touchy-feely Lauren BoothCherie's half-sister | |
| "The Strathclyde police undertook an investigation, including taking statements from a number of people who were present," Downing Street said in a statement. | "The Strathclyde police undertook an investigation, including taking statements from a number of people who were present," Downing Street said in a statement. |
| "These included the 17-year-old boy involved and Mrs Blair's protection officer, who was with her at all times, who said that nothing had occurred between Mrs Blair and the youngster. | "These included the 17-year-old boy involved and Mrs Blair's protection officer, who was with her at all times, who said that nothing had occurred between Mrs Blair and the youngster. |
| "We understand that no further action is planned." | "We understand that no further action is planned." |
| Mystery complaint | |
| The boy was named by the Mail On Sunday as Miles Gandolfi, of the England under-17 epee fencing team. | The boy was named by the Mail On Sunday as Miles Gandolfi, of the England under-17 epee fencing team. |
| Miles' mother Catherine told the paper that what had happened between Mrs Blair and her son was a light-hearted exchange. | Miles' mother Catherine told the paper that what had happened between Mrs Blair and her son was a light-hearted exchange. |
| She said: "I have absolutely no idea why it all blew up. It just seems totally bizarre. | She said: "I have absolutely no idea why it all blew up. It just seems totally bizarre. |
| "We couldn't believe it when the police got involved. I don't know who complained." | "We couldn't believe it when the police got involved. I don't know who complained." |
| This has all the hallmarks of a monumental waste of police time Bill AitkenConservative MSP | This has all the hallmarks of a monumental waste of police time Bill AitkenConservative MSP |
| Journalist Lauren Booth, half-sister of Cherie, said: "This is a case of Cherie being touchy-feely and somebody in the audience going 'oh, we can make something of this'." | Journalist Lauren Booth, half-sister of Cherie, said: "This is a case of Cherie being touchy-feely and somebody in the audience going 'oh, we can make something of this'." |
| Ms Booth told Sky News' Sunday Live: "In this case, most of the papers agree that the people who are dislikeable are those political correctives who want to stop an adult going 'hey' and joshing around with people." | Ms Booth told Sky News' Sunday Live: "In this case, most of the papers agree that the people who are dislikeable are those political correctives who want to stop an adult going 'hey' and joshing around with people." |
| Conservative Glasgow MSP Bill Aitken said the case had been a massive waste of police time. | Conservative Glasgow MSP Bill Aitken said the case had been a massive waste of police time. |
| He said: "This has all the hallmarks of a monumental waste of police time. | He said: "This has all the hallmarks of a monumental waste of police time. |
| "They have a duty to follow up any complaints, but I'm glad to say they're dropping it and getting on with catching the real criminals who cause so much harm to society." | "They have a duty to follow up any complaints, but I'm glad to say they're dropping it and getting on with catching the real criminals who cause so much harm to society." |