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Blair questioned in honours probe Blair questioned in honours probe
(10 minutes later)
Prime Minister Tony Blair has been interviewed by police investigating cash for honours allegations.Prime Minister Tony Blair has been interviewed by police investigating cash for honours allegations.
Mr Blair was not interviewed under caution and he was not accompanied by a lawyer, his spokesman said.Mr Blair was not interviewed under caution and he was not accompanied by a lawyer, his spokesman said.
The probe was sparked by revelations Labour was given secret loans ahead of last year's election. Some donors were subsequently nominated for honours.The probe was sparked by revelations Labour was given secret loans ahead of last year's election. Some donors were subsequently nominated for honours.
Assistant Commissioner John Yates, of Scotland Yard, has said he expects to complete his inquiry next month.Assistant Commissioner John Yates, of Scotland Yard, has said he expects to complete his inquiry next month.
He will then deliver a report to the Crown Prosecution Service, who will decide whether to prosecute any individuals in connection with the affair.He will then deliver a report to the Crown Prosecution Service, who will decide whether to prosecute any individuals in connection with the affair.
The honours were not for public service but expressly party peerages given for party service Tony Blair's spokesmanThe honours were not for public service but expressly party peerages given for party service Tony Blair's spokesman
It is thought to be the first time a serving prime minister has been questioned by police conducting a criminal investigation.It is thought to be the first time a serving prime minister has been questioned by police conducting a criminal investigation.
The BBC understands that Mr Yates did not conduct the interview with the prime minister. Scotland Yard said its investigation was continuing.The BBC understands that Mr Yates did not conduct the interview with the prime minister. Scotland Yard said its investigation was continuing.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said the interview, which lasted for about two hours, was held earlier on Thursday after the weekly Cabinet meeting. Mr Blair's official spokesman said the interview, which lasted for about two hours, took place earlier after the weekly Cabinet meeting.
Nomination reasonsNomination reasons
Mr Blair remained in Number 10 until 1430GMT when he left to travel to Brussels for a meeting of the European Commission. He did not answer journalists' questions as he left.Mr Blair remained in Number 10 until 1430GMT when he left to travel to Brussels for a meeting of the European Commission. He did not answer journalists' questions as he left.
Mr Blair was not interviewed under caution, which means he is not currently being treated as a suspect.Mr Blair was not interviewed under caution, which means he is not currently being treated as a suspect.
Police have not indicated whether they will need to ask him further questions. This is a low day for the prime minister BBC political editor Nick Robinson href="http://blogs.bbc.co.uk/nickrobinson/2006/12/blair_questione.html" class="">Read Nick's thoughts in full Police have not indicated whether they will need to ask him further questions.
Mr Blair's spokesman said: "The prime minister explained why he nominated each of the individuals and he did so as party leader in respect of the peerages reserved for party supporters as other party leaders do.Mr Blair's spokesman said: "The prime minister explained why he nominated each of the individuals and he did so as party leader in respect of the peerages reserved for party supporters as other party leaders do.
"The honours were not, therefore, for public service but expressly party peerages given for party service."The honours were not, therefore, for public service but expressly party peerages given for party service.
"In these circumstances that fact that they had supported the party financially could not conceivably be a barrier to their nomination," he said."In these circumstances that fact that they had supported the party financially could not conceivably be a barrier to their nomination," he said.
The inquiry was prompted by a complaint from the Scottish National Party, and has since widened to include other parties at Westminster.The inquiry was prompted by a complaint from the Scottish National Party, and has since widened to include other parties at Westminster.
Interview 'expected'Interview 'expected'
"Given that the SNP made the complaint about people nominated for peerages by the prime minister you would expect that the police would ask to see the PM as their inquiries come to a conclusion," the PM's spokesman added."Given that the SNP made the complaint about people nominated for peerages by the prime minister you would expect that the police would ask to see the PM as their inquiries come to a conclusion," the PM's spokesman added.
About 90 people have been interviewed by the police during the honours probe. Three people have been arrested but no charges laid. All deny any wrongdoing.About 90 people have been interviewed by the police during the honours probe. Three people have been arrested but no charges laid. All deny any wrongdoing.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, former party chairman Ian McCartney, former Cabinet minister Alan Milburn, ex-science minister Lord Sainsbury, and ex-Tory leader Michael Howard are among those to have been questioned as witnesses.Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, former party chairman Ian McCartney, former Cabinet minister Alan Milburn, ex-science minister Lord Sainsbury, and ex-Tory leader Michael Howard are among those to have been questioned as witnesses.
The men who lent money to Labour and were then nominated for peerages are:The men who lent money to Labour and were then nominated for peerages are:
  • Barry Townsley, a stockbroker who has also donated money towards a city academy school
  • Sir David Garrard, a property developer who also donated money to a city academy
  • Dr Chai Patel, chief executive of Priory Clinics
  • Sir Gulam Noon, who says he was advised to keep a £250,000 loan secret, and that he was blocked from joining the House of Lords once the loan came to the attention of the Lords appointment commission.
  • Barry Townsley, a stockbroker who has also donated money towards a city academy school
  • Sir David Garrard, a property developer who also donated money to a city academy
  • Dr Chai Patel, chief executive of Priory Clinics
  • Sir Gulam Noon, who says he was advised to keep a £250,000 loan secret, and that he was blocked from joining the House of Lords once the loan came to the attention of the Lords appointment commission.
SNP MP Angus MacNeil, whose complaint sparked the investigation, said the questioning of the PM "will be shaking the very foundations of Westminster".SNP MP Angus MacNeil, whose complaint sparked the investigation, said the questioning of the PM "will be shaking the very foundations of Westminster".
"For the prime minister to be questioned by the police during a criminal investigation is unprecedented."For the prime minister to be questioned by the police during a criminal investigation is unprecedented.
"We know that a number of Downing Street officials have been questioned many times by the police and this could be only the first of such a series of questions for the Prime Minister, also," Mr MacNeil said."We know that a number of Downing Street officials have been questioned many times by the police and this could be only the first of such a series of questions for the Prime Minister, also," Mr MacNeil said.
'Damaging''Damaging'
Liberal Democrat MP Paul Rowen, a member of the public administration committee, said that for the police inquiry to make any progress, it was "absolutely essential" that Mr Blair be interviewed.Liberal Democrat MP Paul Rowen, a member of the public administration committee, said that for the police inquiry to make any progress, it was "absolutely essential" that Mr Blair be interviewed.
But he added: "It's hugely damaging. It does show the need for the whole honours system to be completely, root and branch, reformed."But he added: "It's hugely damaging. It does show the need for the whole honours system to be completely, root and branch, reformed."
The Conservative party has not commented.The Conservative party has not commented.
BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said it was an extraordinary development but one that had been expected for some weeks.BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said it was an extraordinary development but one that had been expected for some weeks.
But he said it was an embarrassment for the prime minister who had promised to make politics "purer than pure" when he came to power in 1997.But he said it was an embarrassment for the prime minister who had promised to make politics "purer than pure" when he came to power in 1997.
Professor of government at the London School of Economics, Rodney Barker, told the BBC: "This cannot do his reputation any good, however unjustifiably.Professor of government at the London School of Economics, Rodney Barker, told the BBC: "This cannot do his reputation any good, however unjustifiably.
"It will increase the perception of those who see him as not entirely straightforward or entirely trustworthy," Prof Barker said."It will increase the perception of those who see him as not entirely straightforward or entirely trustworthy," Prof Barker said.
"It's one more straw on the back of a rather struggling camel.""It's one more straw on the back of a rather struggling camel."