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Honours probe chief to face MPs Honours officer defends inquiry
(about 15 hours later)
The police officer who led the inquiry into cash-for-honours allegations against political parties is to be questioned by MPs later. The Metropolitan police chief who led the cash-for-honours inquiry said he received "less than full co-operation" from some people involved in the probe.
Assistant Commissioner John Yates is likely to be asked why a 16-month inquiry did not result in any charges. Assistant Commissioner John Yates said he did not believe this was deliberate but said some people treated them as a political rather than criminal problem.
The Commons public administration committee is looking at the "lessons learned" from the investigation, such as whether the law needs changing. He told Public Administration Committee MPs no "improper pressure" had been put on him during the 16-month inquiry
No charges were brought after the probe into the alleged sale of honours.
The MPs' committee is looking at the "lessons learned" from the investigation, such as whether the law needs changing.
The police studied claims of peerages being offered in return for loans.The police studied claims of peerages being offered in return for loans.
LeaksLeaks
On Tuesday, the MPs will question Mr Yates and Carmen Dowd, head of the special crime division of the Crown Prosecution Service. On Tuesday, the MPs began questioning Mr Yates, Carmen Dowd, head of the special crime division of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and David Perry QC, advisor to the CPS.
It is believed some committee members want to ask Mr Yates about the way the inquiry was conducted, and whether any leaks to the media came from the police.It is believed some committee members want to ask Mr Yates about the way the inquiry was conducted, and whether any leaks to the media came from the police.
Others are expected to ask whether a prosecution could ever be successful under present legislation - the 1925 Honours Act - and whether the standard of proof required is too high.Others are expected to ask whether a prosecution could ever be successful under present legislation - the 1925 Honours Act - and whether the standard of proof required is too high.
One MP told the BBC that the committee had to make sure the questioning of Mr Yates did not amount to a retrial of those involved.One MP told the BBC that the committee had to make sure the questioning of Mr Yates did not amount to a retrial of those involved.
The committee is likely to ask whether Downing Street was cooperative with police and whether Mr Yates thought his evidence had been enough to secure a prosecution.The committee is likely to ask whether Downing Street was cooperative with police and whether Mr Yates thought his evidence had been enough to secure a prosecution.
The MPs began a general inquiry into "propriety issues" relating to the honours system in March last year.The MPs began a general inquiry into "propriety issues" relating to the honours system in March last year.
No prosecutionsNo prosecutions
But they had to suspend it just a week later when the separate police investigation was launched.But they had to suspend it just a week later when the separate police investigation was launched.
The MPs decided to resume their inquiry after the CPS announced in July this year that no charges would be brought in relation to loans to Labour.The MPs decided to resume their inquiry after the CPS announced in July this year that no charges would be brought in relation to loans to Labour.
It was confirmed earlier this month there would also be no prosecutions relating to Tory lenders.It was confirmed earlier this month there would also be no prosecutions relating to Tory lenders.
The police investigation, during which more than 130 people were interviewed and four people were arrested, focused on allegations that peerages had been offered in return for loans to Labour and the Conservatives ahead of the 2005 general election.The police investigation, during which more than 130 people were interviewed and four people were arrested, focused on allegations that peerages had been offered in return for loans to Labour and the Conservatives ahead of the 2005 general election.
Figures questioned by officers included the then Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Tory leader Michael Howard.Figures questioned by officers included the then Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Tory leader Michael Howard.
All involved in the investigation denied any wrongdoing and the CPS said in July that there was "insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against any individual for any offence".All involved in the investigation denied any wrongdoing and the CPS said in July that there was "insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against any individual for any offence".
The committee has previously described the police's efforts as "thorough and exhaustive".The committee has previously described the police's efforts as "thorough and exhaustive".