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14/07/2006
Two ministers among those questioned by police
Police have already questioned two government ministers during the course of the "cash for honours" investigation.
Both Science Minister Lord Sainsbury and Trade Minister Ian McCartney have confirmed that they were questioned by police investigating the cash for honours allegations.
Retail millionaire Lord Sainsbury is one of the Labour Party's main benefactors, lending the party £2m before the election.
However, it emerged that Lord Sainsbury had disclosed a donation, also of £2m made to the party, but had failed to disclose the loan.
Mr McCartney, as Labour Party Chairman, had been involved in the nomination process for new peers.
It was reported that he was also questioned by police "voluntarily".
Neither is understood to have been cautioned by police.
Lord Sainsbury was facing a probe into an alleged breach of ministerial codes in April.
He admitted to not disclosing the £2m loan made to the Labour party, but he had disclosed the £2m donation.
A mix-up between the loan and the donation was blamed on the failure to disclose the loan.
Lord Sainsbury apologised for "unintentionally" misleading the public.
At a press conference today, Prime Minister Tony Blair today dismissed claims that his position at the G8 conference in St. Petersburg, Russia would be affected by the affair.
He said: "You wouldn’t expect me to, and I am not going to comment on any of these inquiries. But I think that the events that are going on at the moment in the Middle East, in relation to the discussions we are having with Iran, in relation to energy and the whole question of energy security and climate change and we will also discuss Africa at the summit. I think you will find that that’s what people want to concentrate on there."
Mr Blair is expected to be questioned in the course of police inquiries.
Yesterday, the policeman heading the inquiry said that 48 people had been interviewed in the course of the inquiry into the allegations.
(SP/EF)
Both Science Minister Lord Sainsbury and Trade Minister Ian McCartney have confirmed that they were questioned by police investigating the cash for honours allegations.
Retail millionaire Lord Sainsbury is one of the Labour Party's main benefactors, lending the party £2m before the election.
However, it emerged that Lord Sainsbury had disclosed a donation, also of £2m made to the party, but had failed to disclose the loan.
Mr McCartney, as Labour Party Chairman, had been involved in the nomination process for new peers.
It was reported that he was also questioned by police "voluntarily".
Neither is understood to have been cautioned by police.
Lord Sainsbury was facing a probe into an alleged breach of ministerial codes in April.
He admitted to not disclosing the £2m loan made to the Labour party, but he had disclosed the £2m donation.
A mix-up between the loan and the donation was blamed on the failure to disclose the loan.
Lord Sainsbury apologised for "unintentionally" misleading the public.
At a press conference today, Prime Minister Tony Blair today dismissed claims that his position at the G8 conference in St. Petersburg, Russia would be affected by the affair.
He said: "You wouldn’t expect me to, and I am not going to comment on any of these inquiries. But I think that the events that are going on at the moment in the Middle East, in relation to the discussions we are having with Iran, in relation to energy and the whole question of energy security and climate change and we will also discuss Africa at the summit. I think you will find that that’s what people want to concentrate on there."
Mr Blair is expected to be questioned in the course of police inquiries.
Yesterday, the policeman heading the inquiry said that 48 people had been interviewed in the course of the inquiry into the allegations.
(SP/EF)
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19 April 2006
Lord Falconer to be questioned over party funding
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Lord Falconer to be questioned over party funding
The Lord Chancellor will be questioned by MPs over funding for political parties in the wake of the 'cash for honours' debacle. Lord Falconer will be questioned by the Commons Constitutional Affairs Committee, which has launched an inquiry into the way parties are funded. The Metropolitan Police are already investigating the 'cash for honours' row.
10 November 2006
Lord Sainsbury resigns as minister
Science Minister Lord Sainsbury has resigned from his post. The former supermarket boss, one of the Labour party's biggest supporters, cited personal reasons for the decision to step down from the government post.
Lord Sainsbury resigns as minister
Science Minister Lord Sainsbury has resigned from his post. The former supermarket boss, one of the Labour party's biggest supporters, cited personal reasons for the decision to step down from the government post.
02 October 2006
Tory donors quizzed in cash-for-honours probe
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Tory donors quizzed in cash-for-honours probe
Four Conservative party donors have been questioned by police investigating the cash-for-honours allegations, it has emerged. According to a report in 'The Times', multimillionaire businessman Robert Edmiston was questioned under caution by police as part of the investigation.
29 September 2006
Downing Street aide quizzed on 'cash-for-honours' affair
A senior advisor to Prime Minister Tony Blair has been questioned by police investigating the alleged cash-for-honours affair, according to reports. Ruth Turner, the director of government relations for Downing Street, is reported to have been interviewed by Scotland Yard last week.
Downing Street aide quizzed on 'cash-for-honours' affair
A senior advisor to Prime Minister Tony Blair has been questioned by police investigating the alleged cash-for-honours affair, according to reports. Ruth Turner, the director of government relations for Downing Street, is reported to have been interviewed by Scotland Yard last week.
01 April 2003
Sainsbury donates £2.5m to Labour
It has been revealed today that Labour Party has accepted a £2.5 million donation from the government peer Lord Sainsbury. This brings to £8.5 million the total amount of donations made David Sainsbury to the party since he was created lord in October 1997.
Sainsbury donates £2.5m to Labour
It has been revealed today that Labour Party has accepted a £2.5 million donation from the government peer Lord Sainsbury. This brings to £8.5 million the total amount of donations made David Sainsbury to the party since he was created lord in October 1997.
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