CPS: no charges in honours case

Last Modified: 20 Jul 2007
By: Katie Razzall

The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed no one will be charged over the cash for honours investigation.

The decision follows a 16-month enquiry by the Metropolitan Police that dogged Tony Blair's final days in office and saw him interviewed as a witness three times.

During the enquiry, which cost £1m, party backers and close aides were questioned - some arrested - further damaging the then prime minister's authority at a time when he was already weakened by the Iraq war.

Lord Levy - a Labour Party fundraiser and key ally of Mr Blair, was at the centre of the investigation, which focussed on whether nominations for the House of Lords had been given by political parties in exchange for loans.

The 16-month investigation had dogged Tony Blair's final days in office and saw him interviewed as a witness three times.

Levy said: "I am sincerely delighted and relieved to put this all behind me."

The outcome will also be a huge relief for Blair aide Ruth Turner and Labour backer Christopher Evans. All three had been arrested during the investigation and released on bail.

Former senior Downing Street aide John McTernan - who was questioned twice by police, once under caution - today told Channel 4 News about the "difficult" time faced by himself and colleagues while the investigations took place. Police interviewed a total of 136 people as witnesses and suspects.

It all started after allegations from Scottish Nationalist Angus MacNeil , who described the reports of the CPS decision as "extraordinary". He added that, if true, it left many questions unanswered.

Levy stepped down with Blair on 27 June, and was first arrested in July 2006 as part of the party funding probe and again in January this year on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He was released on bail each time.

Carmen Dowd, reviewing lawyer and head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said today: "The investigation was lengthy, which is an indication of the complexities involved and the diligence and professionalism of the officers conducting the inquiry.

"While there has clearly been much speculation and rumour surrounding this case I must stress that my decision is based solely on a fair and balanced assessment of the evidence available.

"Having considered all of the evidence in this case I have decided that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against any individual for any offence in relation to this matter."

He added that a document explaining the decision is to be published today, and is also available to view on the CPS website (www.cps.gov.uk).