This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6279729.stm
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Honours police arrest Blair aide | Honours police arrest Blair aide |
| (10 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 was arrested at her home at 0630 GMT but later released on police bail after several hours of questions. | Ms Turner was arrested at her home at 0630 GMT but later released on police bail after several hours of questions. |
| She was quizzed about alleged honours offences and suspicion of perverting the course of justice. | She was quizzed about alleged honours offences and suspicion of perverting the course of justice. |
| In a statement, Tony Blair said he had "complete confidence" in Miss Turner, who is one of his closest aides. | In a statement, Tony Blair said he had "complete confidence" in Miss Turner, who is one of his closest aides. |
| "Ruth is a person of the highest integrity for whom I have great regard and I continue to have complete confidence in her," said the prime minister. | "Ruth is a person of the highest integrity for whom I have great regard and I continue to have complete confidence in her," said the prime minister. |
| Miss Turner is expected to put out a statement shortly. | |
| The Metropolitan Police team investigating claims people gave political donations in exchange for peerages have so far spoken to about 90 including Mr Blair. All deny wrongdoing. | The Metropolitan Police team investigating claims people gave political donations in exchange for peerages have so far spoken to about 90 including Mr Blair. All deny wrongdoing. |
| Miss Turner, who as director of government relations is a vital link between Downing Street and the Labour Party, was first questioned by police in September. | Miss Turner, who as director of government relations is a vital link between Downing Street and the Labour Party, was first questioned by police in September. |
| A Downing Street source told the BBC officials had been "taken aback" by her arrest. | A Downing Street source told the BBC officials had been "taken aback" by her arrest. |
| The government in general and the prime minister in particular just seem now hopelessly mired in sleaze and they just cannot escape from it Vincent Cable Q&A: Honours probe | The government in general and the prime minister in particular just seem now hopelessly mired in sleaze and they just cannot escape from it Vincent Cable Q&A: Honours probe |
| 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 they haven't fully faced up to." | 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 they haven't fully faced up to." |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | No one has been charged. |
| Secret loans | Secret loans |
| 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 on Friday: "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 on Friday: "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. | 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. |
| "The government in general and the prime minister in particular just seem now hopelessly mired in sleaze and they just cannot escape from it," he said. | "The government in general and the prime minister in particular just seem now hopelessly mired in sleaze and they just cannot escape from it," he said. |
| Meanwhile a letter has been published from Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, a close ally of Mr Blair, dismissing suggestions by the Lord Chancellor that he would stand aside from a decision on any potential prosecutions. | Meanwhile a letter has been published from Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, a close ally of Mr Blair, dismissing suggestions by the Lord Chancellor that he would stand aside from a decision on any potential prosecutions. |
| In a letter released by the Constitutional Affairs Committee he wrote: "No other minister, however distinguished or senior, has the ability to bind the attorney general in how he exercises his role." | In a letter released by the Constitutional Affairs Committee he wrote: "No other minister, however distinguished or senior, has the ability to bind the attorney general in how he exercises his role." |
| Lord Goldsmith has said his statutory responsibility to advise on sensitive cases meant it would not be right for him to stand aside, despite criticism there could be a conflict of interest. | Lord Goldsmith has said his statutory responsibility to advise on sensitive cases meant it would not be right for him to stand aside, despite criticism there could be a conflict of interest. |