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21/02/2007
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.
According to reports, Ms Turner was answering police bail on Tuesday when police interviewed her for a second time. She was then released on bail again, pending further inquiries.
She was originally interviewed under caution last September in connection with the investigation.
Scotland Yard has not officially confirmed the name of the woman who was interviewed on Tuesday, but did identify her as a woman who had previously been arrested on January 19, the same day that Ms Turner had been arrested.
Since Ms Turner's arrest, Lord Levy, the Labour Party's chief fundraiser, was arrested for a second time in connection with the investigation, this time on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He was not charged and was later released on bail.
Prime Minister Tony Blair was also recently questioned for the second time during the investigation, although he was not arrested or placed under caution.
The cash-for-honours investigation was sparked last year by complaints from SNP MP Angus MacNeil and Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd, who claimed that peerages were being awarded to those who made large donations or loans to the Labour party. It then emerged that a number of secret loans had been made to the party before the 2005 general election and that some of those responsible had later been nominated for peerages.
The investigation was later widened to cover the other main political parties.
A number of people have been questioned in the course of the investigation, including Mr Blair and former Conservative leader Michael Howard.
However, no-one has been charged and all those involved deny any wrongdoing.
(KMcA)
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.
According to reports, Ms Turner was answering police bail on Tuesday when police interviewed her for a second time. She was then released on bail again, pending further inquiries.
She was originally interviewed under caution last September in connection with the investigation.
Scotland Yard has not officially confirmed the name of the woman who was interviewed on Tuesday, but did identify her as a woman who had previously been arrested on January 19, the same day that Ms Turner had been arrested.
Since Ms Turner's arrest, Lord Levy, the Labour Party's chief fundraiser, was arrested for a second time in connection with the investigation, this time on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He was not charged and was later released on bail.
Prime Minister Tony Blair was also recently questioned for the second time during the investigation, although he was not arrested or placed under caution.
The cash-for-honours investigation was sparked last year by complaints from SNP MP Angus MacNeil and Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd, who claimed that peerages were being awarded to those who made large donations or loans to the Labour party. It then emerged that a number of secret loans had been made to the party before the 2005 general election and that some of those responsible had later been nominated for peerages.
The investigation was later widened to cover the other main political parties.
A number of people have been questioned in the course of the investigation, including Mr Blair and former Conservative leader Michael Howard.
However, no-one has been charged and all those involved deny any wrongdoing.
(KMcA)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
