February 01, 2007	Thursday	Muharram 12, 1428

LONDON, Jan 31: A third Downing Street aide is expected to be interviewed under caution by police investigating the alleged cash-for-honours cover-up after Tuesday’s dramatic re-arrest of Lord Levy.

A report published in Wednesday’s The Times said that the unnamed man to be interviewed had previously been questioned and should be brought in by police again within the next few weeks.

It follows the arrest of Lord Levy, Prime Minister’s personal friend and fundraiser in Central London. He became the second person close to Tony Blair to be held under suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

However, unlike Ruth Turner, the director of government relations, who was arrested in a dawn raid less than a fortnight ago under the same charge, Lord Levy was given advance warning of the police intention to question him. The arrest of Ms Turner sparked vehement No 10 protests.

The decision to re-arrest Lord Levy follows police attempts to find documents and e-mails which seem to have disappeared. Some Downing Street officials are suspected of colluding over other evidence. Detectives could not find the documents as they attempted to discover whether Labour had been offered honours in exchange for £14 million of hidden loans.

The Times disclosed last month that the police had begun to investigate suspicions of perverting the course of justice. Until then, the charges being considered came under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925, under which it is an offence to accept money as an inducement or reward for procuring an honour, and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act 2000, which restricts the sources of donations.

The possibility of charges for perverting the course of justice was first discussed by CPS lawyers in November after meetings with police. They can be brought if a person tries to interfere with an investigation that might lead to criminal proceedings.The offence, which carries a maximum life sentence, was used against Jonathan Aitken and Jeffrey Archer.

According to the CPS, “it does not matter whether or not the act results in a perversion of the course of justice: the offence is committed when acts tending and intended to pervert a course of justice are done”.

There were claims that the arrest may have been prompted by the discovery of a separate e-mail system within No 10, from which crucial e-mails may have been deleted. Downing Street has denied the existence of a second system.

Lord Levy was arrested on July 12 last year under the 1925 and 2000 Acts and bailed pending further inquiries. He reiterated on Tuesday that he had done nothing wrong.

A statement from a spokesman read: “Lord Levy went to the police station today as asked. He was interviewed again. He completely denies any allegations of wrongdoing whatsoever. He will not make any further comments at this time.”