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/6320399.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Blair interviewed again by police Blair interviewed again by police
(about 3 hours 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 at 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. Previously questioned in December, Mr Blair 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.
'Operational reasons'
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 Blair
Scotland Yard said the news blackout had been 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.
The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation Scotland Yard spokesman Analysis: Pressure on Blair
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 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, this time on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.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.
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 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 was charged but it has sparked speculation that the police had not been given all the information they needed. Neither has been charged but it 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. Other members of Mr Blair's inner circle have also spoken to the police.
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: "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 replied that for "obvious reasons" he could not make any comment.
WidenedWidened
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. The secrecy of Mr Blair's interview was such that the whole press team at Number 10 had not known 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.
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." The cash-for-honours inquiry began after it emerged that large secret loans had been made to Labour 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 was widened to cover the other main parties, with former Conservative leader Michael Howard among those questioned.
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 staff It also 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.
It was widened to cover the other main parties - former Conservative leader Michael Howard is among those questioned.
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 And Liberal Democrat spokesman Edward Davey added: "It is clear that this inquiry is going to haunt Tony Blair throughout his last months in office and beyond."
"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."
CASH-FOR-HONOURS ARRESTS April 2006 - Des Smith July 2006 - Lord LevySept 2006 - Sir Christopher EvansJan 2007 - Ruth TurnerJan 2007 - Lord Levy
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."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.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. 'Flattered'
"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." Attorney General Lord Goldsmith has refused to stand aside on the grounds that he could not avoid his legal obligation to give his personal consent to prosecute in certain serious cases.
However he has pledged that if he is consulted by the Crown Prosecution Service he would appoint an independent senior counsel to review all the relevant material and to advise him.
He told BBC Radio 4's PM: "I've been enormously flattered by the number of times people have described me as a close friend of the prime minister. Who wouldn't be?"
He added: "I don't think I am; I doubt very much that he would regard me as such."
Asked if people would find it "absurd" that he could have a hand in the decision to prosecute, he said: "Let's see what if anything happens.
"I know no more than anyone else: I am not in touch with the police; I am not being kept in touch with the inquiry; I only know what I read in the newspapers."
About 90 people have been interviewed during the inquiry so far. No one has been charged and all involved deny any wrongdoing.About 90 people have been interviewed during the inquiry so far. No one has been charged and all involved deny any wrongdoing.