<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>Blair interviewed again by police </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV> <DIV class=cap>Mr Blair: Was questioned before flying to Davos</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Tony Blair was questioned for a second time by police investigating cash-for-honours allegations it has emerged, after a six-day news blackout.
The interview, which lasted 45 minutes, took place in No 10 last Friday and was kept secret at the request of police.
Mr Blair, also interviewed in December, was again treated as a witness.
Police are investigating whether cash was donated to political parties in exchange for honours. All involved in the claims have denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister was not interviewed under caution and was not accompanied by a lawyer - although a civil service note-taker was present.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibtbg><DIV><DIV class=mva> The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation <BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV>Scotland Yard spokesman</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
A Scotland Yard statement said the news blackout was requested for "operational reasons", but gave no further details.
It added: "The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation. He was interviewed as a witness, not as a suspect and co-operated fully."
Cover-up claim
On Tuesday Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy, who is also Mr Blair's Middle East envoy, was arrested for a second time by police investigating the claims.
This time he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The BBC has learned that he was asked by police about notes of meetings at which he is believed to have discussed honours with senior Downing Street staff.
It followed the arrest just over a week earlier of Downing Street aide Ruth Turner, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibtbg><DIV class=o> </DIV><DIV><DIV class=mva> We still don't know the reason for the police's request for confidentiality <BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV>BBC political editor Nick Robinson</DIV></DIV><DIV class=o>
</DIV><DIV class=miiib><DIV class=arr>Read Nick's thoughts in full </DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY>
The interview, which lasted 45 minutes, took place in No 10 last Friday and was kept secret at the request of police.
Mr Blair, also interviewed in December, was again treated as a witness.
Police are investigating whether cash was donated to political parties in exchange for honours. All involved in the claims have denied any wrongdoing.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister was not interviewed under caution and was not accompanied by a lawyer - although a civil service note-taker was present.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibtbg><DIV><DIV class=mva> The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation <BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV>Scotland Yard spokesman</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
A Scotland Yard statement said the news blackout was requested for "operational reasons", but gave no further details.
It added: "The prime minister has been interviewed briefly to clarify points emerging from the ongoing investigation. He was interviewed as a witness, not as a suspect and co-operated fully."
Cover-up claim
On Tuesday Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy, who is also Mr Blair's Middle East envoy, was arrested for a second time by police investigating the claims.
This time he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The BBC has learned that he was asked by police about notes of meetings at which he is believed to have discussed honours with senior Downing Street staff.
It followed the arrest just over a week earlier of Downing Street aide Ruth Turner, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibtbg><DIV class=o> </DIV><DIV><DIV class=mva> We still don't know the reason for the police's request for confidentiality <BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV>BBC political editor Nick Robinson</DIV></DIV><DIV class=o>
</DIV><DIV class=miiib><DIV class=arr>Read Nick's thoughts in full </DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY>
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