01/02/2007
Police question Prime Minister for second time
Police investigating cash-for-honours allegations have questioned the Prime Minister for a second time.
In a statement Scotland Yard said that the interview had been conducted to "clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation," and that Mr Blair had co-operated fully.
However, such was the secrecy surrounding the police interview with Mr Blair, that yesterday morning during pointed questioning by journalists on the progress of the the police inquiry, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) had denied that the situation had altered.
Asked whether the police had been in touch again to question the Prime Minister, the PMOS replied that "as far as he was concerned nothing had changed".
It emerged that police had requested a news embargo for "operational reasons" on the interview that they had conducted last Friday with Mr Blair in Downing Street.
No details of the police questioning have been released other than the meeting was reported to have lasted for almost an hour. Downing Street confirmed that Mr Blair had not been cautioned and was not accompanied by a lawyer, though a 'note-taker' had been present.
The questioning of the Prime Minister came just days after top aide Ruth Turner was arrested for questioning. Ms Turner was arrested on Friday January 19 on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
Lord Levy was arrested on Tuesday January 23 on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of Justice. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Both were later released without charge. However, the arrests have fuelled speculation that police have been given less than full disclosure on matters relevant to their inquiries.
The Prime Minister was first questioned on the allegations in December 2006.
Police are investigating allegations that monies donated to the political parties have been in exchange for honours.
(SP/EF)
In a statement Scotland Yard said that the interview had been conducted to "clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation," and that Mr Blair had co-operated fully.
However, such was the secrecy surrounding the police interview with Mr Blair, that yesterday morning during pointed questioning by journalists on the progress of the the police inquiry, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) had denied that the situation had altered.
Asked whether the police had been in touch again to question the Prime Minister, the PMOS replied that "as far as he was concerned nothing had changed".
It emerged that police had requested a news embargo for "operational reasons" on the interview that they had conducted last Friday with Mr Blair in Downing Street.
No details of the police questioning have been released other than the meeting was reported to have lasted for almost an hour. Downing Street confirmed that Mr Blair had not been cautioned and was not accompanied by a lawyer, though a 'note-taker' had been present.
The questioning of the Prime Minister came just days after top aide Ruth Turner was arrested for questioning. Ms Turner was arrested on Friday January 19 on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
Lord Levy was arrested on Tuesday January 23 on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of Justice. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Both were later released without charge. However, the arrests have fuelled speculation that police have been given less than full disclosure on matters relevant to their inquiries.
The Prime Minister was first questioned on the allegations in December 2006.
Police are investigating allegations that monies donated to the political parties have been in exchange for honours.
(SP/EF)
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