BRITAIN:British detectives investigating the cash-for-honours affair handed over their main file to prosecutors yesterday, bringing the prospect of criminal charges against senior government figures a step closer.
The Metropolitan police said that the 216-page dossier was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), together with supporting material, yesterday afternoon. "It is now a matter for the CPS to consider the evidence [ and] advise us on whether any further inquiries are necessary and whether any charges should be brought," said a spokesman.
Altogether 136 people, including Tony Blair, have been questioned over the allegation that peerages were handed out in return for political donations. Three people remain on police bail: Mr Blair's chief fundraiser, Lord Levy; No 10 aide Ruth Turner and Labour party backer Sir Christopher Evans.
Lord Levy, Ms Turner and Sir Christopher were arrested in connection with alleged offences under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925. Each denies any wrongdoing. Lord Levy and Ms Turner have also been questioned in relation to a parallel inquiry concerning a possible conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Mr Blair has been interviewed twice by police, not under caution - the first time a serving prime minister has been part of a police investigation. Yesterday a Downing Street spokesman declined to comment on the matter, saying it was a matter for the police. However, there is little doubt that the timing is unfortunate for the government, putting the issue back in the spotlight before the May elections.
Angus MacNeil, the Scottish Nationalist party MP who made the original complaint in March last year, said yesterday: "This is an enormously significant development. It confirms the scale of the case to answer in the cash-for-honours scandal, and we now await the CPS recommendations.
"I would think it unlikely we would see any charges before the election, but charges before [ Mr Blair] steps down would certainly be possible. It casts a massive cloud over Tony Blair's premiership." The investigation began after it emerged secret loans had been made to Labour before the 2005 election, and that some lenders had subsequently been nominated for peerages.
The investigation was widened to include the other main political parties. Yesterday the CPS confirmed it had the file, and would consider whether to bring any charges. "It will now be reviewed in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors to determine whether any individuals should be charged with any offences. These decisions will be notified to the Metropolitan police in due course, and will be publicly announced after concerned parties are notified."
The director of public prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, has said he would stand back from any decision, as he was for three years a member of Matrix Chambers, where Mr Blair's wife, Cherie Booth, practises. - (Guardian service)