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'No deadline' for honours police | 'No deadline' for honours police |
(20 minutes later) | |
The policeman investigating allegations that honours were given in exchange for money 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 said continuing speculation - "much of it inaccurate" - was not helpful. | 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. | 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. |
Mr Yates wrote to committee chairman Tony Wright on 9 March - the second time he has updated the MPs. | 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 | 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: "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. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "It would clearly be unrealistic to think that all these matters could be followed through and concluded without commentary." |
'Secure environment' | 'Secure environment' |
Complex legal challenges had arisen which could not be rushed, Mr Yates wrote. | 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. | 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 hand 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". | He assured the committee that he had enough staff "to manage matters within what has to be an extremely secure environment". |