This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6907594.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
No charges on 'cash for honours' No charges on 'cash for honours'
(about 1 hour later)
No-one is to face charges after the 16-month cash-for-honours investigation, the BBC understands. No-one is to face charges after the 16-month cash-for-honours police inquiry, the BBC understands.
Four people were arrested - including two of Tony Blair's aides - during inquiries into whether honours were sold and whether a cover-up followed.Four people were arrested - including two of Tony Blair's aides - during inquiries into whether honours were sold and whether a cover-up followed.
Police interviewed 136 people, including ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Tory leader Michael Howard. Police interviewed 136 people, including former prime minister Tony Blair. All denied any wrongdoing.
All denied wrongdoing, but friends of Mr Blair say the investigation helped weaken his authority. SNP MP Angus MacNeil, whose complaint prompted the investigation, said the outcome was "quite extraordinary".
Serious allegations
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said that Scotland Yard is preparing to make a public defence of its officers.BBC political editor Nick Robinson said that Scotland Yard is preparing to make a public defence of its officers.
They are bound to come under fierce criticism for dragging out their inquiries for so long yet failing to produce a result, he added. They are bound to face fierce criticism for dragging out their inquiries for so long yet failing to produce a result, he added.
Serious allegations
Assistant Commissioner John Yates of the Metropolitan Police - who headed up the inquiry - has said from the outset his officers were simply doing their jobs by investigating serious allegations.Assistant Commissioner John Yates of the Metropolitan Police - who headed up the inquiry - has said from the outset his officers were simply doing their jobs by investigating serious allegations.
He was backed by Chris Fox, a former president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, who told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday: "I'm confident that John Yates and his team will have done everything they possibly could to get to the bottom of the allegations.
Now it seems the CPS are trying to tell us it's all a wild goose chase Angus MacNeil MP Nick Robinson's blog Political reactionNow it seems the CPS are trying to tell us it's all a wild goose chase Angus MacNeil MP Nick Robinson's blog Political reaction
"When someone makes an allegation like that the police service have to take it seriously."
The Crown Prosecution Service is set to announce its decision on Friday but has so far refused to comment.The Crown Prosecution Service is set to announce its decision on Friday but has so far refused to comment.
But Downing Street adviser John McTernan told the BBC: "It's a massive relief for everybody involved in this that at last a line can be drawn under it."But Downing Street adviser John McTernan told the BBC: "It's a massive relief for everybody involved in this that at last a line can be drawn under it."
Arrests made
Mr Blair's chief fundraiser Lord Levy, his director of government relations Ruth Turner and Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans were all arrested as part of the inquiry.Mr Blair's chief fundraiser Lord Levy, his director of government relations Ruth Turner and Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans were all arrested as part of the inquiry.
Police spent more than a year investigating whether people were nominated for peerages in return for donations to political parties.Police spent more than a year investigating whether people were nominated for peerages in return for donations to political parties.
They initially handed their file to the Crown Prosecution Service in April, but were asked to make further inquiries. Mr Blair, who was questioned three times as a potential witness, became the first prime minister to be interviewed by police in the course of a criminal inquiry.
Mr Blair was questioned three times by police as a potential witness before he left Downing Street.
He was the first prime minister to be interviewed by police in the course of a criminal inquiry.
This whole affair has diminished politics and politicians in the eyes of the public Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leader Q&A: Cash-for-honoursThis whole affair has diminished politics and politicians in the eyes of the public Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leader Q&A: Cash-for-honours
Scottish National Party MP Angus MacNeil, who made the original complaint to Scotland Yard, told BBC Two's Newsnight the outcome of the investigation was "quite extraordinary".Scottish National Party MP Angus MacNeil, who made the original complaint to Scotland Yard, told BBC Two's Newsnight the outcome of the investigation was "quite extraordinary".
He said: "We've had an investigation going on for the past 16 months, there have been 6,300 documents at the end of that given by the Yard to the Crown Prosecution Service.He said: "We've had an investigation going on for the past 16 months, there have been 6,300 documents at the end of that given by the Yard to the Crown Prosecution Service.
"The Yard liaised with the CPS through all this, and now it seems the CPS are trying to tell us it's all a wild goose chase.""The Yard liaised with the CPS through all this, and now it seems the CPS are trying to tell us it's all a wild goose chase."
'Politically instigated'
Labour MP and former minister Denis MacShane, who has long been critical of the inquiry, said: "This was always a politically instigated investigation, launched by the Scottish National Party".Labour MP and former minister Denis MacShane, who has long been critical of the inquiry, said: "This was always a politically instigated investigation, launched by the Scottish National Party".
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said there were still "many questions of political responsibility" to be answered. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the whole affair had "diminished politics and politicians in the eyes of the public".
He added: "This whole affair has diminished politics and politicians in the eyes of the public. It's done great damage to our political system Tony Wright MP
"Never again must there be any question of any link between preferment and financial support.""Never again must there be any question of any link between preferment and financial support."
Labour MP Tony Wright, chairman of the Public Administration Committee, told the BBC the investigation had been a "disaster for the police and a disaster for the political system".
He added: "It's done great damage to our political system. Our system is fundamentally clean. It needs eternal vigilance but basically political issues need to be resolved by the political system."