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/6281555.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Labour anger over honours arrest Labour anger over honours arrest
(30 minutes later)
Senior Labour figures have questioned police tactics in arresting a Downing Street official on Friday over the "cash-for-honours" affair.Senior Labour figures have questioned police tactics in arresting a Downing Street official on Friday over the "cash-for-honours" affair.
Ruth Turner was questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and later released. She denies wrongdoing.Ruth Turner was questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and later released. She denies wrongdoing.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said she had been "surprised" by the arrest and David Blunkett called it "theatre".Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said she had been "surprised" by the arrest and David Blunkett called it "theatre".
But the Metropolitan Police Federation said such comments were putting officers under "undue pressure".But the Metropolitan Police Federation said such comments were putting officers under "undue pressure".
'Should wait''Should wait'
Chairman Glen Smyth told BBC News 24: "Inquiries of this nature already feel to be career limiting.Chairman Glen Smyth told BBC News 24: "Inquiries of this nature already feel to be career limiting.
"You get government ministers and senior members of the Labour party criticising the inquiry, which has frankly not even given a report to the Crown Prosecution Service yet."You get government ministers and senior members of the Labour party criticising the inquiry, which has frankly not even given a report to the Crown Prosecution Service yet.
"What sort of undue pressure are they trying to bring? If that's not what they are intending, it's certainly the impression that they are leaving for the officers involved and, I suspect, many other people."What sort of undue pressure are they trying to bring? If that's not what they are intending, it's certainly the impression that they are leaving for the officers involved and, I suspect, many other people.
"They should wait for the appropriate moment.""They should wait for the appropriate moment."
Tony Blair has given Ruth Turner his full backing - he could do no other BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full Q&A: Honours probe Analysis: Blair impactTony Blair has given Ruth Turner his full backing - he could do no other BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full Q&A: Honours probe Analysis: Blair impact
Ms Jowell said she was "slightly bewildered" as to why Ms Turner was arrested early in the morning by four policemen knocking on her door, and then released without charge.Ms Jowell said she was "slightly bewildered" as to why Ms Turner was arrested early in the morning by four policemen knocking on her door, and then released without charge.
"She has fully cooperated and she is a person of utter decency and conscientiousness and I am surprised," she said."She has fully cooperated and she is a person of utter decency and conscientiousness and I am surprised," she said.
Former Downing Street aide Lance Price said: "It does look a bit theatrical.Former Downing Street aide Lance Price said: "It does look a bit theatrical.
"Ruth Turner has co-operated with the inquiry all the way through up until this point. There's been no suggestion that she wasn't willing to give police any help that they asked for."Ruth Turner has co-operated with the inquiry all the way through up until this point. There's been no suggestion that she wasn't willing to give police any help that they asked for.
"So it does seem pretty extraordinary to do the sort of dawn rain that we associate generally with people who are about to abscond justice and fly on a plane to Bermuda or something.""So it does seem pretty extraordinary to do the sort of dawn rain that we associate generally with people who are about to abscond justice and fly on a plane to Bermuda or something."
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett said he wanted "thoroughness, not theatre".Former Home Secretary David Blunkett said he wanted "thoroughness, not theatre".
'Ludicrous''Ludicrous'
Labour peer Helena Kennedy said she was concerned about the impact the row was having on public trust and it would be some time before if was known if it would lead to any kind of prosecution. And Labour peer Helena Kennedy said she was concerned about the impact of the row on public trust.
It made people feel that "somehow money plays too big a part in politics", she said.It made people feel that "somehow money plays too big a part in politics", she said.
Mr Blair gave Ms Turner, who as director of government relations is one of his closest aides, his full backing.Mr Blair gave Ms Turner, who as director of government relations is one of his closest aides, his full backing.
"Ruth is a person of the highest integrity for whom I have great regard and I continue to have complete confidence in her," he said. 'Not above law'
Ms Turner said in a statement released by 10 Downing Street: "I absolutely refute any allegations of wrongdoing of any nature whatsoever." But Len Duvall, the Labour politician who chairs the Metropolitan Police Authority, called on others not to try to "manipulate or pressurise" officers.
No-one charged In a statement, he told critics that "no one in this country is above the law".
Liberal Democrat spokesman Lord Thomas of Gresford said: "Once the police had formed a reasonable suspicion of her perverting the course of justice, as they must have, it was their duty to act swiftly and professionally to preserve any evidence.
"That is commonplace, as any criminal lawyer knows.
"Pressure put upon the police by people in high places suggests that they want the investigation stopped."
Ms Turner was first questioned by police in September.
The Metropolitan Police inquiry into claims people gave political donations in exchange for peerages 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 Metropolitan Police inquiry into claims people gave political donations in exchange for peerages 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 later widened to cover the other main parties.The investigation later widened to cover the other main parties.
Police have so far spoken to about 90 people including Mr Blair and former Tory leader Michael Howard. All deny wrongdoing. Police have so far spoken to about 90 people including Mr Blair and former Tory leader Michael Howard.
Ms Turner was first questioned by police in September. All deny wrongdoing. No one has been charged.
Three other people had been arrested before Friday - 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.