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 6 Version 7
Labour anger over honours arrest Labour 'pressing honours police'
(about 1 hour later)
Senior Labour figures have questioned police tactics in arresting a Downing Street official on Friday over the "cash-for-honours" affair. Police have warned senior Labour figures to stop putting "undue pressure" on officers investigating "cash-for-honours" claims.
Ruth Turner was questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and later released. She denies wrongdoing. Several senior Labour MPs have called the arrest on Friday of Number 10 aide Ruth Turner, who denies any wrongdoing, unnecessary and "theatrical".
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said she had been "surprised" by the arrest and David Blunkett called it "theatre". But the Metropolitan Police Federation said this was not an "appropriate moment" to make such comments.
But the Metropolitan Police Federation said such comments were putting officers under "undue pressure". The Liberal Democrats said police were acting professionally and normally.
'Should wait' 'Bewildered'
Chairman Glen Smyth told BBC News 24: "Inquiries of this nature already feel to be career limiting. Ms Turner was questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and was later released.
"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. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said she was "slightly bewildered" as to why the arrest had happened early in the morning, with four policemen knocking on Ms Turner's door - who was then released without charge.
"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."
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 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.
"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.
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 impact
"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 raid 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'
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.
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.
'Not above law' 'Career-limiting'
But Len Duvall, the Labour politician who chairs the Metropolitan Police Authority, called on others not to try to "manipulate or pressurise" officers. However, Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Glen Smyth told BBC News 24: "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.
"They should wait for the appropriate moment."
Len Duvall, the Labour politician who chairs the Metropolitan Police Authority, called on others not to try to "manipulate or pressurise" officers.
In a statement, he told critics that "no one in this country is above the law".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.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."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.""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.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.Police have so far spoken to about 90 people including Mr Blair and former Tory leader Michael Howard.
All deny wrongdoing. No one has been charged.All deny wrongdoing. No one has been charged.