BBC: No charges on ‘cash for honours’

By Stephen Tall | Thu 19th July 2007 - 10:29 pm

Here’s what the BBC Online report says:

The BBC understands that no-one is to face charges after the 16-month cash for honours investigation.

Four people were arrested – including two of Tony Blair’s aides – during inquiries into whether honours were sold and whether a cover-up followed. In total, 136 people were interviewed – including former Prime Minister Tony Blair and ex-Conservative leader Michael Howard.

All denied wrongdoing, but Mr Blair’s friends say his authority was weakened.

It is, of course, entirely co-incidental that this should be leaked just prior to the results being declared in Ealing Southall and Sedgefield. Because New Labour’s desire to manipulate the news agenda ended with Tony Blair’s departure, naturally.

However, let’s remember that liberals believe in the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in free and fair legal proceedings. And because we’re liberals that principle applies just as much to the rich and powerful as it does to the poor and weak. So let’s not have any nasty cynicism in the comments field.

And, remember, ‘cash for coronets’ may have been the New Labour scandal the tabloid media loved. But it pales into insignificance besides the Labour/Tory complicity in the BAE bribery scandal.

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This entry was posted in News.

One Comment

Rob Fenwick 19th Jul '07 - 10:32pm

Not sure we can blame Labour for leaking this one, despite the timing – the Police and to some extent the CPS are renowned for leaking like a seive, they don’t need the help of the Labour Party.

Still, what a gift to the Labour party. But nice to see from the rolling news that Menzies Campbell’s office is first out with a line, though Adam Bolton is now talking about Michael Brown as a result.

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