29/09/2006

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.

According to 'The Times', Ms Turner was questioned about e-mails and documents related to the inquiry.

Ms Turner is the latest in a number of people to be questioned in the five-month investigation by the Metropolitan Police, sparked by allegations that wealthy Labour party supporters had been awarded peerages in exchange for making loans to the party.

The investigation was subsequently widened to cover similar allegations made about the Conservative party.

Three people have been arrested in the investigation so far: Des Smith, a former government advisor to the City Academy programme, Labour's chief fund-raiser Lord Levy and Sir Christopher Evans, the head of Biotech, who lent the Labour party £1 million before the last general election.

All three have denied doing anything wrong.

Neither Downing Street nor the Metropolitan Police have commented on the reports regarding Ms Turner.

The investigation is expected to be concluded by the end of October, when the reports will be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

(KMcA/SP)

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