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Blair interviewed again by police Blair interviewed again by police
(30 minutes later)
Tony Blair was questioned for a second time by police investigating cash-for-honours allegations it has emerged, after a six-day news blackout.Tony Blair was questioned for a second time by police investigating cash-for-honours allegations it has emerged, after a six-day news blackout.
The interview, which lasted 45 minutes, took place in No 10 last Friday and was kept secret at the request of police.The interview, which lasted 45 minutes, took place in No 10 last Friday and was kept secret at the request of police.
Mr Blair, also interviewed in December, was again treated as a witness.Mr Blair, also interviewed in December, was again treated as a witness.
Police are investigating whether cash was donated to political parties in exchange for honours. All involved in the claims have denied any wrongdoing.Police are investigating whether cash was donated to political parties in exchange for honours. All involved in the claims have denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister was not interviewed under caution and was not accompanied by a lawyer - although a civil service note-taker was present.Mr Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister was not interviewed under caution and was not accompanied by a lawyer - although a civil service note-taker was present.
The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation Scotland Yard spokesman Analysis: Pressure on BlairThe prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation Scotland Yard spokesman Analysis: Pressure on Blair
A Scotland Yard statement said the news blackout was requested for "operational reasons", but gave no further details. Scotland Yard said the news blackout had been requested for "operational reasons", but gave no further details.
It added: "The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation. He was interviewed as a witness, not as a suspect and co-operated fully."It added: "The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation. He was interviewed as a witness, not as a suspect and co-operated fully."
Cover-up claimCover-up claim
On Tuesday Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy, who is also Mr Blair's Middle East envoy, was arrested for a second time by police investigating the claims. On Tuesday Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy, who is also Mr Blair's Middle East envoy, was arrested for a second time by police investigating the claims, this time on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
This time he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The BBC has learned that he was asked about notes of meetings at which he is believed to have discussed honours with senior Downing Street staff.
The BBC has learned that he was asked by police about notes of meetings at which he is believed to have discussed honours with senior Downing Street staff.
It followed the arrest just over a week earlier of Downing Street aide Ruth Turner, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.It followed the arrest just over a week earlier of Downing Street aide Ruth Turner, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
We still don't know the reason for the police's request for confidentiality BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in fullWe still don't know the reason for the police's request for confidentiality BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
Neither were charged but it has sparked speculation that the police had not been given all the information they needed. Neither was charged but it has sparked speculation that the police had not been given all the information they needed.
Other members of Mr Blair's inner circle have also spoken to the honours police team.
At prime minister's questions on Wednesday, SNP leader Alex Salmond asked Mr Blair: "Is there a cover-up in Downing Street?"At prime minister's questions on Wednesday, SNP leader Alex Salmond asked Mr Blair: "Is there a cover-up in Downing Street?"
Mr Blair told MPs that for "obvious reasons" he could not make any comment about the police inquiry.Mr Blair told MPs that for "obvious reasons" he could not make any comment about the police inquiry.
Other members of Mr Blair's inner circle to have spoken to the honours police team include his director of political operations John McTernan, who has been interviewed twice, and his chief of staff, Jonathan Powell.
WidenedWidened
The secrecy of Mr Blair's interview was such that the whole press team at Number 10 did not know the interview had taken place, his spokesman said. The secrecy of Mr Blair's interview was such that the whole press team at Number 10 did not know it had taken place, his spokesman said.
This was why he had told journalists at the daily lobby briefings this week there had been "no change" in the investigation, he said.This was why he had told journalists at the daily lobby briefings this week there had been "no change" in the investigation, he said.
Later Commons leader Jack Straw said it was "absolutely proper" that Mr Blair had complied with the police request for a news blackout. Commons leader Jack Straw said it was "absolutely proper" that Mr Blair had complied with the police request for a news blackout.
He added: "I think there has been complete propriety exercised here and I don't understand how anybody could say differently."He added: "I think there has been complete propriety exercised here and I don't understand how anybody could say differently."
The cash-for-honours inquiry began last spring after it emerged that large secret loans had been made to the Labour Party before the 2005 general election, and that some lenders had subsequently been nominated for peerages. The cash-for-honours inquiry began after it emerged that large secret loans were made to the Labour Party before the 2005 general election, and that some lenders had subsequently been nominated for peerages.
It is clear that this inquiry is going to haunt Tony Blair throughout his last months in office and beyond Edward DaveyLib Dem chief of staffIt is clear that this inquiry is going to haunt Tony Blair throughout his last months in office and beyond Edward DaveyLib Dem chief of staff
It has since widened to cover the other main parties - former Conservative leader Michael Howard is among those questioned. It was widened to cover the other main parties - former Conservative leader Michael Howard is among those questioned.
The scope of the inquiry also appears to have widened from the original laws against selling honours, to whether any offence of perverting the course of justice has been committed during the police inquiry. And now it appears to have widened in scope, from the original laws against selling honours, to whether anyone has attempted to pervert the course of justice during the police inquiry.
SNP MP Angus MacNeil, whose complaint prompted the police inquiry, said it was "another bleak first in British politics".SNP MP Angus MacNeil, whose complaint prompted the police inquiry, said it was "another bleak first in British politics".
'Paralysed' government
"It certainly doesn't look good for Downing Street," he told the BBC."It certainly doesn't look good for Downing Street," he told the BBC.
And Lib Dem spokesman Edward Davey added: "It is clear that this inquiry is going to haunt Tony Blair throughout his last months in office and beyond."And Lib Dem spokesman Edward Davey added: "It is clear that this inquiry is going to haunt Tony Blair throughout his last months in office and beyond."
About 90 people have been interviewed so far. 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. CASH-FOR-HONOURS ARRESTS April 2006 - Des Smith July 2006 - Lord LevySept 2006 - Sir Christopher EvansJan 2007 - Ruth TurnerJan 2007 - Lord Levy
No one has been charged and all involved deny any wrongdoing. Tory leader David Cameron said: "Obviously it's serious when a serving prime minister is questioned by the police twice. But I think we should wait for the outcome of that investigation."
He added that the government was in paralysis while it waited for Mr Blair to resign.
But Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said: "All of us have become accustomed to the excessive focus and accustomed to getting on with the job of government despite it.
"As for his [Mr Blair's] departure, he has made it clear that he will go during the course of this year, and when is a matter for him, and remains a matter for him."
About 90 people have been interviewed during the inquiry so far. No one has been charged and all involved deny any wrongdoing.