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Poll worry for Morgan over Blair | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The first minister has warned that the cash-for-peerages inquiry could harm Labour's assembly election chances. | |
Rhodri Morgan said the inquiry could divert attention from the 3 May poll and he did not want it to become a referendum on Westminster events. | Rhodri Morgan said the inquiry could divert attention from the 3 May poll and he did not want it to become a referendum on Westminster events. |
But he said he was "quite indifferent about the timing" of the prime minister's departure from office. | |
Mr Morgan spoke after it emerged that Mr Blair had been interviewed by police as a witness for a second time. | Mr Morgan spoke after it emerged that Mr Blair had been interviewed by police as a witness for a second time. |
The interview took place a week ago in Downing Street, but was kept secret by the prime minister until Thursday at the police's request. | The interview took place a week ago in Downing Street, but was kept secret by the prime minister until Thursday at the police's request. |
Mr Morgan is one of an increasing number of senior Labour Party figures to express concern over the damage the inquiry is doing to the party and politics in general. | Mr Morgan is one of an increasing number of senior Labour Party figures to express concern over the damage the inquiry is doing to the party and politics in general. |
Party chairman Hazel Blears said it was causing a "corrosive cynicism" and Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman said it was "eroding trust". | |
'Running furiously' | 'Running furiously' |
Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock warned it would take "years" for the political system to recover from the damage the inquiry had caused. | Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock warned it would take "years" for the political system to recover from the damage the inquiry had caused. |
Mr Morgan said of the cash for peerages inquiry: "It isn't helping, is it?" | Mr Morgan said of the cash for peerages inquiry: "It isn't helping, is it?" |
The investigation was ordered after it was discovered Labour had received loans before the 2005 general election from people who were subsequently nominated for peerages. | The investigation was ordered after it was discovered Labour had received loans before the 2005 general election from people who were subsequently nominated for peerages. |
The First Minister also commented on the battle for the Labour deputy leadership. | The First Minister also commented on the battle for the Labour deputy leadership. |
He refused to offer Welsh Secretary Peter Hain his support in the race. | He refused to offer Welsh Secretary Peter Hain his support in the race. |
Mr Morgan agreed that Mr Hain was "running furiously" for the post but said it would be "idiotic" to support a candidate before it was know whether they had enough support from MPs to enter the race. | Mr Morgan agreed that Mr Hain was "running furiously" for the post but said it would be "idiotic" to support a candidate before it was know whether they had enough support from MPs to enter the race. |
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