Police probing British political party funding questioned the
chief fundraiser for Tony Blair's ruling Labor Party yesterday amid
growing speculation that the prime minister may soon be quizzed by
detectives.
Police sources confirmed that Lord Levy, arrested on Wednesday
and then released on bail, had returned to a London police station
to be interviewed again.
Police are investigating allegations that state honors were
awarded in return for cash in an escalating row that has damaged
Blair's standing and increased calls for his resignation.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Yates, who is heading the
police probe, went behind closed doors yesterday to give an update
on his investigation to members of parliament on a committee that
scrutinizes the government.
Michael Levy, 62, has denied any wrongdoing and accused the
police of using their arrest powers "totally unnecessarily." On
Wednesday, he was released on bail without charge pending further
enquiries.
"The waters are lapping around the prime minister's ankles,"
Scottish nationalist leader Alex Salmond said after the arrest.
Blair faced a barrage of damaging headlines about the row
reaching the door of his Downing Street residence. "Blair faces
police quiz," said the Sun tabloid. "Police quiz Blair next,"
declared the Daily Mail.
MORI pollster Robert Worcester said: "I think it is one of the
many nails in Blair's coffin. His authority is dissipating day by
day and his loyalists are fewer and fewer. The Praetorian Guard is
being depleted."
The Labor party came under pressure after it said it had
received nearly 14 million pounds (US$26 million) in loans from 12
businessmen, some of whom were nominated for seats in Britain's
unelected upper house of parliament.
Britain has a complicated system of awards and decorations. A
law was introduced in 1925 making it illegal to sell seats in the
upper chamber, the House of Lords, after government abuses.
(China Daily July 14, 2006)
