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| Honours claims 'damaging trust' | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The investigation into cash-for-honours allegations is damaging politics, senior Labour figures have admitted. | The investigation into cash-for-honours allegations is damaging politics, senior Labour figures have admitted. |
| Party chairman Hazel Blears said it was causing a "corrosive cynicism" and constitutional affairs minister Harriet Harman said it was "eroding trust". | Party chairman Hazel Blears said it was causing a "corrosive cynicism" and constitutional affairs minister Harriet Harman said it was "eroding trust". |
| Their comments came as Downing Street revealed that police had twice quizzed Tony Blair as a witness in the affair. | Their comments came as Downing Street revealed that police had twice quizzed Tony Blair as a witness in the affair. |
| Parties have been accused of rewarding donations with honours, but all those questioned have denied any wrongdoing. | Parties have been accused of rewarding donations with honours, but all those questioned have denied any wrongdoing. |
| Ms Blears told BBC News she feared the police inquiry was overshadowing the government's domestic agenda. | Ms Blears told BBC News she feared the police inquiry was overshadowing the government's domestic agenda. |
| The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation Scotland Yard spokesman Analysis: Pressure on Blair | The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation Scotland Yard spokesman Analysis: Pressure on Blair |
| "I want the investigation to be brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible," she said. | "I want the investigation to be brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible," she said. |
| "Inevitably when you have this kind of thing going on for months and months it does have a corrosive effect." | "Inevitably when you have this kind of thing going on for months and months it does have a corrosive effect." |
| Mr Blair's second interview with detectives took place last Friday in Downing Street, but was kept secret until Thursday on the request of the police. | Mr Blair's second interview with detectives took place last Friday in Downing Street, but was kept secret until Thursday on the request of the police. |
| He was previously questioned in December and was treated both times as a witness - not a suspect. | He was previously questioned in December and was treated both times as a witness - not a suspect. |
| Labour's chief fundraiser, Lord Levy, and Downing Street aide Ruth Turner have both been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice - although both were released without charge. | Labour's chief fundraiser, Lord Levy, and Downing Street aide Ruth Turner have both been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice - although both were released without charge. |
| It is understood Lord Levy was asked about meetings with senior staff at Downing Street at which he is believed to have discussed honours. | It is understood Lord Levy was asked about meetings with senior staff at Downing Street at which he is believed to have discussed honours. |
| We still don't know the reason for the police's request for confidentiality BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full | We still don't know the reason for the police's request for confidentiality BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full |
| The inquiry was sparked after it emerged Labour had received secret loans before the 2005 general election from people who were subsequently nominated for peerages. | The inquiry was sparked after it emerged Labour had received secret loans before the 2005 general election from people who were subsequently nominated for peerages. |
| As well as Labour figures being quizzed, police also interviewed ex-Conservative leader Michael Howard. | As well as Labour figures being quizzed, police also interviewed ex-Conservative leader Michael Howard. |
| 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. |
| Ms Harman said an elected House of Lords would help end controversies like the cash-for-honours inquiry. | |
| She told BBC Question Time: "I don't think we should be having patronage through the honours system - with or without the money. | |
| "I think it should be elected." |