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| Donor police quiz top Blair aide | Donor police quiz top Blair aide |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A senior adviser to the prime minister has been questioned by police in the investigation into cash for honours, allegedly involving Labour donors. | A senior adviser to the prime minister has been questioned by police in the investigation into cash for honours, allegedly involving Labour donors. |
| Ruth Turner is the director of government relations at Number 10 and was interviewed in London last week. | Ruth Turner is the director of government relations at Number 10 and was interviewed in London last week. |
| There have been three arrests so far, although the suggestions of wrong-doing have been denied by all involved. | There have been three arrests so far, although the suggestions of wrong-doing have been denied by all involved. |
| The inquiry was launched after claims that wealthy backers were rewarded with seats in the House of Lords. | The inquiry was launched after claims that wealthy backers were rewarded with seats in the House of Lords. |
| Its scope has since been widened to cover similar allegations involving the Conservatives. | Its scope has since been widened to cover similar allegations involving the Conservatives. |
| Head teacher Des Smith, who was on the council of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, was the first person to be arrested and bailed, in April. | Head teacher Des Smith, who was on the council of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, was the first person to be arrested and bailed, in April. |
| He resigned from the Trust after allegedly telling an undercover Sunday Times reporter it was typical for people who made donations to his project to receive an honour. | He resigned from the Trust after allegedly telling an undercover Sunday Times reporter it was typical for people who made donations to his project to receive an honour. |
| Officers have also twice interviewed Labour's chief fundraiser - and Tony Blair's personal representative in the Middle East - Lord Levy. | Officers have also twice interviewed Labour's chief fundraiser - and Tony Blair's personal representative in the Middle East - Lord Levy. |
| And last week, the millionaire head of Biotech, Sir Christopher Evans, said he was "shocked and dismayed" to have been detained. | And last week, the millionaire head of Biotech, Sir Christopher Evans, said he was "shocked and dismayed" to have been detained. |
| Candidate | |
| Ms Turner stood as a Labour candidate for the European Parliament in north-west England in 1999. | |
| Her current department helps Downing Street to deal with Labour and the public. | |
| It also arranges visits for Mr Blair as well as charity receptions and other events at Number 10. | |
| Labour's treasurer, Jack Dromey, has refused to give his views on the latest development in the inquiry. | |
| "Forgive me if I make no comment on the police investigation," he told BBC News 24. | |
| "I've not said anything; I will not say anything in the future." |