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Blair questioned in honours probe Honours probe 'focuses on donors'
(1 day later)
Police have asked Tony Blair about notes of conversations between his chief fundraiser Lord Levy and a major Labour donor, the BBC has learned.Police have asked Tony Blair about notes of conversations between his chief fundraiser Lord Levy and a major Labour donor, the BBC has learned.
Notes made by Sir Christopher Evans, who loaned the party £1m, have been seized by officers. They allegedly include references to honours.Notes made by Sir Christopher Evans, who loaned the party £1m, have been seized by officers. They allegedly include references to honours.
But a spokesman for Sir Christopher, a businessman, said there was no record of promises of peerages.But a spokesman for Sir Christopher, a businessman, said there was no record of promises of peerages.
Mr Blair's questioning was not under caution, meaning he is not a suspect.Mr Blair's questioning was not under caution, meaning he is not a suspect.
Earlier arrestsEarlier arrests
It is believed to be the first time a sitting prime minister has been quizzed by police in connection with a criminal investigation.It is believed to be the first time a sitting prime minister has been quizzed by police in connection with a criminal investigation.
Lord Levy and Sir Christopher were both arrested earlier this year as part of the police inquiry into the cash-for-honours affair.Lord Levy and Sir Christopher were both arrested earlier this year as part of the police inquiry into the cash-for-honours affair.
Lord Levy has told friends that if people want to fantasise about what he might have said during conversations with Sir Christopher, that is up to them Lord Levy has told friends that if people want to fantasise about what he might have said during conversations with Sir Christopher, that is up to them.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have raised "serious doubts" about the "probity" of Mr Blair following his questioning.Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have raised "serious doubts" about the "probity" of Mr Blair following his questioning.
The interview happened on Thursday - the same say as the government revealed that the Serious Fraud Office had ended its investigation into British firm BAE's deal to sell planes to Saudi Arabia. The interview happened on Thursday - the same day as the government revealed that the Serious Fraud Office had ended its investigation into British firm BAE's deal to sell planes to Saudi Arabia.
Also on Thursday, the findings of an official UK police inquiry into the car crash which killed Princess Diana were announced.Also on Thursday, the findings of an official UK police inquiry into the car crash which killed Princess Diana were announced.
'Nail in the coffin''Nail in the coffin'
Mr Blair's spokesman emphasised that there had been no deliberate plan to "bury bad news".Mr Blair's spokesman emphasised that there had been no deliberate plan to "bury bad news".
However, Lib Dem chief of staff Norman Lamb said: "To have the government conspire to close down an investigation into serious corruption allegations in the international arms trade on the same day as the prime minister is interviewed by the police over domestic corruption allegations shows how far from 'whiter than white' this government has moved.However, Lib Dem chief of staff Norman Lamb said: "To have the government conspire to close down an investigation into serious corruption allegations in the international arms trade on the same day as the prime minister is interviewed by the police over domestic corruption allegations shows how far from 'whiter than white' this government has moved.
"This is the final nail in the coffin of this government's reputation.""This is the final nail in the coffin of this government's reputation."
The cash-for-honours probe was sparked by revelations Labour was given secret loans ahead of last year's election. Some donors were subsequently nominated for honours.The cash-for-honours 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 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.
About 90 people have been interviewed by 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 police during the honours probe. Three people have been arrested but no charges laid. All deny any wrongdoing.
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.
The Conservative Party has not issued a comment.The Conservative Party has not issued a comment.