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'No deadline' for honours police 'No deadline' for honours police
(10 minutes later)
The policeman investigating allegations that honours were given in exchange for donations has said it is "unrealistic" to set a deadline for completion.The policeman investigating allegations that honours were given in exchange for donations has said it is "unrealistic" to set a deadline for completion.
John Yates, in a letter to the Public Administration select committee, said honours remained the focus, but "linked offences" were now part of the inquiry.John Yates, in a letter to the Public Administration select committee, said honours remained the focus, but "linked offences" were now part of the inquiry.
The assistant commissioner said there were matters beyond his control, such as "further evidence coming to light".The assistant commissioner said there were matters beyond his control, such as "further evidence coming to light".
He had earlier said he expected to complete his inquiry in January. He said continuing speculation - "much of it inaccurate" - was not helpful.
Four people have been arrested during the investigation, including Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy. All deny any wrong-doing and no-one has been charged with any offence.
Last week a court allowed the BBC to reveal that Downing St aide Ruth Turner had written in a document alleging Lord Levy had "asked her to lie for him" in relation to honours.
Mr Yates wrote to committee chairman Tony Wright on 9 March - the second time he has updated the MPs.
It would clearly be unrealistic to think that all these matters could be followed through and concluded without commentary Assistant Commissioner John Yates
He said: "I have to say that the continuing speculation, much of it inaccurate, about how this case is progressing is far from helpful."
He said he continued to investigate any potential breaches of the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
But he said he had stated that if other linked allegations came to light, then they might need to form part of the investigation.
"This is precisely what has happened.
"It would clearly be unrealistic to think that all these matters could be followed through and concluded without commentary."
'Secure environment'
Complex legal challenges had arisen which could not be rushed, Mr Yates wrote.
In his first letter, in November, he had said he expected to complete his inquiry in January.
He said he still intended to conclude the inquiry "as quickly as possible and had a full file to the CPS soon after."
He assured the committee that he had enough staff "to manage matters within what has to be an extremely secure environment".
Police successfully applied for an injunction blocking the BBC from reporting about Ms Turner's allegations, because they did not want other witnesses to know of its existence before they were questioned about it.