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Honours police arrest Blair aide Honours police arrest Blair aide
(20 minutes later)
Downing Street political adviser Ruth Turner has become the fourth person to be arrested by police investigating the cash-for-honours allegations.Downing Street political adviser Ruth Turner has become the fourth person to be arrested by police investigating the cash-for-honours allegations.
Ms Turner, a senior adviser to Tony Blair, was arrested at 0630 on Friday morning at home but was later released without charge, on police bail. Ms Turner, a senior aide to Tony Blair, was arrested at 0630 on Friday morning at her home but was later released on police bail.
Police are investigating whether people have been nominated for honours after giving money to political parties. she was questioned over alleged honours offences and suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
About 90 people have been questioned. All those involved deny any wrongdoing. The inquiry team has spoken to about 90 people so far. All deny wrongdoing.
Ms Turner, the director of government relations, effectively the main link between Number 10 and the Labour Party, was questioned by police about the allegations in September. Ms Turner, the director of government relations, effectively the main link between Number 10 and the Labour Party, was questioned by police about the honours allegations in September.
A Downing Street source told the BBC officials had been "taken aback" by the latest arrest but Mr Blair was giving Miss Turner his full support.
'Key figure''Key figure'
But on Friday she was arrested in connection with alleged offences under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses Act) and suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Angus MacNeill, the SNP MP who sparked the cash for honours probe, said: "I think it just underlines the seriousness of the situation facing Downing Street, something the haven't fully faced up to."
BBC correspondent Carole Walker described her as a "key figure" on Mr Blair's team whose arrest would send "shudders of alarm" through Downing Street. However much the government and the prime minister want this to go away it won't Vincent CableLiberal Democrats
Tony Blair and former Tory leader Michael Howard are among those who have been questioned by police over the issue. He said "water is now lapping around Tony Blair's neck" and he hoped Downing Street would not try and spin its way out of the situation.
Mr Blair and former Tory leader Michael Howard are among those who have been questioned by police over the issue.
But until Friday only three people had been arrested, Lord Levy, the Labour Party's chief fundraiser, Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans and head teacher Des Smith, who was involved in the government's City Academy programme.But until Friday only three people had been arrested, Lord Levy, the Labour Party's chief fundraiser, Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans and head teacher Des Smith, who was involved in the government's City Academy programme.
No one has been charged.
The inquiry began after it emerged that a number of large secret loans had been made to the Labour Party before the 2005 general election, and that some of those lenders had subsequently been nominated for peerages.The inquiry began after it emerged that a number of large secret loans had been made to the Labour Party before the 2005 general election, and that some of those lenders had subsequently been nominated for peerages.
The investigation has since widened to cover the other main parties.The investigation has since widened to cover the other main parties.
Scotland Yard had been expected to hand over a file on the case in January to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide whether any charges should be brought.Scotland Yard had been expected to hand over a file on the case in January to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide whether any charges should be brought.
But a police spokesman said: As a result of this new development additional investigation will be required before a final file can be submitted to the CPS."But a police spokesman said: As a result of this new development additional investigation will be required before a final file can be submitted to the CPS."
Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vincent Cable told the BBC the allegations were doing "a lot of damage" to the credibility of the government and showed the need for rapid agreement on party funding and reform of the House of Lords.
"However much the government and the prime minister want this to go away it won't," he said.