Reply #2: Detectives quiz Blair over Lords cash probe

[babylonsister]

Detectives quiz Blair over Lords cash probe

http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/detectives-quiz-bla...

Julia May, London
February 2, 2007


TONY Blair has earned the dubious honour of breaking two records: being the first British Prime Minister to be questioned not just once, but twice in a criminal investigation.

Mr Blair's office yesterday revealed that he was questioned a week ago at No. 10 Downing Street as a witness in the "cash-for-peerages" scandal.

He was first questioned in December by Scotland Yard detectives who are investigating whether the Labour Party, under Mr Blair's direction, nominated four businessmen for seats in the House of Lords in exchange for secret loans of £4.5 million (about $A11.5 million).

A spokesman for Mr Blair would not comment on the content of the police interview, which is said to have lasted some 45 minutes.

The BBC reported that it had been kept secret until now at the request of police, and that it was not known whether Mr Blair would face further questioning.

The interview preceded the re-arrest on Tuesday of the Labour Party's chief political fund-raiser, Lord Levy, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. He was released on bail without charge.

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