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No charges on 'cash for honours' No charges on 'cash for honours'
(20 minutes later)
The BBC understands that no-one is to face charges after the 16-month cash-for-honours investigation. No-one is to face charges after the 16-month cash-for-honours investigation, the BBC understands.
Four people were arrested - including two of Tony Blair's aides - during inquiries into whether honours were sold and whether a cover-up followed.Four people were arrested - including two of Tony Blair's aides - during inquiries into whether honours were sold and whether a cover-up followed.
Police interviewed 136 people, including ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Tory leader Michael Howard.Police interviewed 136 people, including ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Tory leader Michael Howard.
All denied wrongdoing, but friends of Mr Blair say the investigation helped weaken his authority.All denied wrongdoing, but friends of Mr Blair say the investigation helped weaken his authority.
Serious allegationsSerious allegations
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said that Scotland Yard is preparing to make a public defence of its officers.BBC political editor Nick Robinson said that Scotland Yard is preparing to make a public defence of its officers.
He said they are bound to come under fierce criticism for dragging out their inquiries for so long yet failing to produce a result. They are bound to come under fierce criticism for dragging out their inquiries for so long yet failing to produce a result, he added.
Assistant Commissioner John Yates of the Metropolitan Police - who headed up the investigation - has said from the outset his officers were simply doing their jobs by investigating serious allegations. Assistant Commissioner John Yates of the Metropolitan Police - who headed up the inquiry - has said from the outset his officers were simply doing their jobs by investigating serious allegations.
The Crown Prosecution Service is set to announce its decision in the morning but has so far refused to formally comment. The Crown Prosecution Service is set to announce its decision on Friday but has so far refused to comment.
Mr Blair's chief fundraiser Lord Levy, his Director of Government Relations Ruth Turner and Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans were all arrested as part of the inquiry. Mr Blair's chief fundraiser Lord Levy, his director of government relations Ruth Turner and Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans were all arrested as part of the inquiry.
Political firstPolitical first
Police spent more than a year investigating whether people were nominated for peerages in return for donations to political parties.Police spent more than a year investigating whether people were nominated for peerages in return for donations to political parties.
They initially handed their file to the Crown Prosecution Service in April, but were asked to make further inquiries.They initially handed their file to the Crown Prosecution Service in April, but were asked to make further inquiries.
Mr Blair had been questioned three times by police as a potential witness before he left Downing Street. Mr Blair was questioned three times by police as a potential witness before he left Downing Street.
He was the first prime minister to be interviewed by police in the course of a criminal inquiry.He was the first prime minister to be interviewed by police in the course of a criminal inquiry.