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Honours probe teacher not charged Honours probe teacher not charged
(20 minutes later)
The first man arrested in the cash for honours probe will not face charges, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.The first man arrested in the cash for honours probe will not face charges, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.
Des Smith was arrested last April after suggesting to an undercover reporter sponsors of the government's flagship city academies would receive honours. Des Smith was questioned last April after allegedly suggesting that sponsors of the government's flagship city academies would receive honours.
The CPS said it was clear the head teacher had made "indiscreet" remarks. The CPS said there was "insufficient evidence" to charge Mr Smith with an offence under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925.
But it said there was "insufficient evidence" to charge him with an offence under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925. Mr Smith said he was relieved, adding: "It was a nonsense from the beginning".
Police are investigating whether money was donated to political parties in exchange for peerages. All those involved deny any wrongdoing.Police are investigating whether money was donated to political parties in exchange for peerages. All those involved deny any wrongdoing.
Undercover reporterUndercover reporter
In January 2006, Mr Smith suggested to a Sunday Times reporter that sponsors for the government's flagship city academies programme would be given honours in exchange for funding. In January 2006, Mr Smith allegedly suggested to an undercover Sunday Times reporter that sponsors for the government's flagship city academies programme would be recommended for honours in exchange for funding.
He later quit his post with the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, which helps the government recruit education sponsors.He later quit his post with the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, which helps the government recruit education sponsors.
His conversations did not provide evidence that he was trying to obtain funding for City Academies in exchange for honours CPS spokesman Profile: Des Smith I'm relieved that it's over Des Smith Profile: Des Smith
He admitted he had been "naive" when talking to a reporter posing as a potential donor's PR assistant.He admitted he had been "naive" when talking to a reporter posing as a potential donor's PR assistant.
A CPS spokesman said: "Although it is clear that Mr Smith made some indiscreet comments to an undercover journalist, his conversations did not provide evidence that he was trying to obtain funding for City Academies in exchange for honours."A CPS spokesman said: "Although it is clear that Mr Smith made some indiscreet comments to an undercover journalist, his conversations did not provide evidence that he was trying to obtain funding for City Academies in exchange for honours."
He added that Mr Smith's case concerned funding for City Academies, not allegations concerning loans or donations to political parties.He added that Mr Smith's case concerned funding for City Academies, not allegations concerning loans or donations to political parties.
"We do not expect any further evidence to come to light relating to him," he added. 'Nonsense'
Secret loans Mr Smith, whose lawyers say he "categorically" denies the claims against him, said he was pleased at the outcome.
Downing Street said at the time of the newspaper story it was "nonsense to suggest that honours are awarded for giving money to an academy". Speaking from his home in Redbridge, east London, he said: "It's just been going for so long. I'm relieved that it's over," he said.
"It was nonsense from the beginning."
A police spokesman added: "The wider police investigation is ongoing and as a result there will be no further police comment at this stage."
The police inquiry began after it emerged that secret loans had been made to Labour before the 2005 general election, and that some lenders had subsequently been nominated for peerages.The police inquiry began after it emerged that secret loans had been made to Labour before the 2005 general election, and that some lenders had subsequently been nominated for peerages.
About 90 people have been questioned as part of the inquiry, which widened to cover the other main parties. Among those questioned are Tony Blair and former Conservative leader Michael Howard.About 90 people have been questioned as part of the inquiry, which widened to cover the other main parties. Among those questioned are Tony Blair and former Conservative leader Michael Howard.
It also appears the inquiry has 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 also appears the inquiry has 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.
Four people have been arrested in total. Mr Smith, Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans, Downing Street adviser Ruth Turner and Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy.Four people have been arrested in total. Mr Smith, Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans, Downing Street adviser Ruth Turner and Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy.
No one has been charged and all involved deny any wrongdoing.No one has been charged and all involved deny any wrongdoing.