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Blair interviewed again by police Blair interviewed again by police
(10 minutes later)
Tony Blair has been questioned for a second time by police investigating cash-for-honours allegations.Tony Blair has been questioned for a second time by police investigating cash-for-honours allegations.
Downing Street disclosed the interview, which lasted 45 minutes, took place in No 10 last Friday and was kept secret at the request of the Met Police.Downing Street disclosed the interview, which lasted 45 minutes, took place in No 10 last Friday and was kept secret at the request of the Met Police.
The prime minister was first questioned as a witness in December.The prime minister was first questioned as a witness in December.
Police are investigating whether money was donated to political parties in exchange for honours. All involved in the claims have denied any wrongdoing.Police are investigating whether money was donated to political parties in exchange for honours. All involved in the claims have denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said Mr Blair was questioned as a possible witness but would not discuss the contents of the conversation. Mr Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister was not interviewed under caution and was not accompanied by a lawyer - although a civil service note-taker was present.
A civil service note-taker was present, but no lawyer, as the prime minister was not interviewed under caution. The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation Scotland Yard spokesman
The spokesman said he did not know whether Mr Blair would face further questions, saying that was a matter entirely for the police. The spokesman said he did not know whether Mr Blair would face further questions, saying that was a "matter entirely for the police".
Question time A Scotland Yard statement said the news blackout was requested for "operational reasons", but gave no further details.
It added: "The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation. He was interviewed as a witness, not as a suspect and co-operated fully."
Cover-up claim
On Tuesday Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy, who is also Mr Blair's Middle East envoy, was arrested for a second time by police investigating the claims.On Tuesday Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy, who is also Mr Blair's Middle East envoy, was arrested for a second time by police investigating the claims.
This time he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.This time he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
We're told the interview was kept secret at the police's request BBC political editor Nick Robinson class="" href="http://blogs.bbc.co.uk/nickrobinson/2007/02/secret_intervie.html">Read Nick's thoughts in full It followed the arrest just over a week earlier of Downing Street aide Ruth Turner on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. It followed the arrest just over a week earlier of Downing Street aide Ruth Turner on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
We're told the interview was kept secret at the police's request BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
Neither were charged but it has sparked speculation that the police had not been given all the information they needed.Neither were charged but it has sparked speculation that the police had not been given all the information they needed.
At prime minister's questions on Wednesday, SNP leader Alex Salmond asked Mr Blair: "Is there a cover-up in Downing Street?"At prime minister's questions on Wednesday, SNP leader Alex Salmond asked Mr Blair: "Is there a cover-up in Downing Street?"
Mr Blair told MPs that for "obvious reasons" he could not make any comment about the police inquiry.Mr Blair told MPs that for "obvious reasons" he could not make any comment about the police inquiry.
Other members of Mr Blair's inner circle to have spoken to the honours police team include his director of political operations John McTernan, who has been interviewed twice, and his chief of staff, Jonathan Powell.Other members of Mr Blair's inner circle to have spoken to the honours police team include his director of political operations John McTernan, who has been interviewed twice, and his chief of staff, Jonathan Powell.
WidenedWidened
The secrecy of the interview was such that Mr Blair's official spokesman and the whole press team at Number 10 did not know the interview had taken place, the spokesman said.The secrecy of the interview was such that Mr Blair's official spokesman and the whole press team at Number 10 did not know the interview had taken place, the spokesman said.
This would explain why the official spokesman had told journalists at the daily lobby briefings this week there had been "no change" in the investigation. This was why he had told journalists at the daily lobby briefings this week there had been "no change" in the investigation, he said.
The inquiry last spring after it emerged that a number of large secret loans had been made to the Labour Party before the 2005 general election, and that some of those lenders had subsequently been nominated for peerages. The inquiry began last spring after it emerged that a number of large secret loans had been made to the Labour Party before the 2005 general election, and that some of those lenders had subsequently been nominated for peerages.
It is clear that this inquiry is going to haunt Tony Blair throughout his last months in office and beyond Edward DaveyLib Dem chief of staff
It has since widened to cover the other main parties - former Conservative leader Michael Howard is among those questioned.It has since widened to cover the other main parties - former Conservative leader Michael Howard is among those questioned.
The scope of the inquiry also appears to have widened from the original laws against selling honours, to whether any offence of perverting the course of justice has been committed during the police inquiry.The scope of the inquiry also appears to have widened from the original laws against selling honours, to whether any offence of perverting the course of justice has been committed during the police inquiry.
Four people have been arrested - Lord Levy, Downing Street adviser Ruth Turner, Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans and head teacher Des Smith, who was involved in the government's City Academy programme. SNP MP Angus MacNeil, whose complaint prompted the police inquiry, said it was "another bleak first in British politics".
About 90 people have been interviewed so far. No one has been charged and all involved deny any wrongdoing. "It certainly doesn't look good for Downing Street," he told the BBC.
And Lib Dem spokesman Lib Dem spokesman Edward Davey added: "It is clear that this inquiry is going to haunt Tony Blair throughout his last months in office and beyond."
About 90 people have been interviewed so far. Four people have been arrested - Lord Levy, Downing Street adviser Ruth Turner, Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans and head teacher Des Smith, who was involved in the government's City Academy programme.
No one has been charged and all involved deny any wrongdoing.