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Honours police arrest Lord Levy | Honours police arrest Lord Levy |
(10 minutes later) | |
Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy has been re-arrested by police looking into cash-for-honours allegations. | Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy has been re-arrested by police looking into cash-for-honours allegations. |
He was held on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and was later bailed. | He was held on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and was later bailed. |
Lord Levy, a close ally of Tony Blair, was previously arrested in connection with claims honours had been sold in exchange for party donations. | Lord Levy, a close ally of Tony Blair, was previously arrested in connection with claims honours had been sold in exchange for party donations. |
A spokesman said that Lord Levy "completely denies any allegations of wrongdoing whatsoever". | A spokesman said that Lord Levy "completely denies any allegations of wrongdoing whatsoever". |
The Metropolitan Police team investigating the allegations has so far spoken to about 90 people including Tony Blair and former Conservative leader Michael Howard. | The Metropolitan Police team investigating the allegations has so far spoken to about 90 people including Tony Blair and former Conservative leader Michael Howard. |
All involved deny any wrongdoing. | All involved deny any wrongdoing. |
Four people have been arrested - Lord Levy, Downing Street adviser Ruth Turner, 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. | Four people have been arrested - Lord Levy, Downing Street adviser Ruth Turner, 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. |
Lord Levy's spokesman issued a statement saying: "Lord Levy went to the police station as asked. He was interviewed again. | |
"He completely denies any allegation of wrongdoing whatsoever. | |
"He left the police station in the early afternoon and since there is a continuing investigation he will not make any further comments at this time." | |
Lord Levy was first arrested last July, in connection with alleged offences under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 and Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. | Lord Levy was first arrested last July, in connection with alleged offences under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 and Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. |
Nearly two weeks ago Downing Street political adviser Ruth Turner was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. She has denied any wrongdoing and has the backing of Mr Blair. | Nearly two weeks ago Downing Street political adviser Ruth Turner was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. She has denied any wrongdoing and has the backing of Mr Blair. |
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. |
Last year, Scotland Yard said it was due to hand over a file on the case in January to the Crown Prosecution Service, which would decide whether any charges should be brought. | Last year, Scotland Yard said it was due to hand over a file on the case in January to the Crown Prosecution Service, which would decide whether any charges should be brought. |