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)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 February 2007
Blair aide questioned in cash-for-honour probe
Downing Street aide Ruth Turner has been questioned for the second time by police investigating the cash-for-honours affair, it has been reported. Ms Turner, one of the Prime Minister's closest aides, had been arrested in January on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and was later released on bail after being questioned.
07 January 2014
Police Respond To 'Benefits Street' Row
West Midlands Police has said it could launch an investigation following claims that a Channel 4 documentary about benefit claimants revealed elements of criminal activity. The first episode of the show, Benefits Street, aired on Monday night and shortly afterwards, prompted hundreds of comments from those concerned about the content.
23 June 2003
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
13 January 2011
Irish Premier's 'Position In Peril'
Amidst increasing speculation that the Irish Republic's ruling Fianna Fáil party could be on the brink of a leadership change - as Brian Cowen's position remains perilous - a challenge from either senior Ministers or backbenchers has been mooted.
02 October 2006
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.