NationStates Jolt Archive

From the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5173860.stm)

Tony Blair's chief fundraiser Lord Levy has been arrested.

His arrest is reported to be in connection with the "cash-for-honours" inquiry by the Metropolitan Police.

Lord Levy, 61, made his money in the music industry in the 1960s and 1970s, managing singers including Alvin Stardust and Chris Rea.

He has been a high profile fundraiser for Labour since Tony Blair's election. Lord Levy is understood to be being held at a North London police station.

Not exactly been a great few months for Blair, has it?

Alvin Stardust! Are we sure he isn't being arrested for crimes against music?

Woo! This should make for some interesting news stories in the coming days and weeks. Spin this teflon man.

I can't believe this has actually happened. Usually political inquiries like this just turn out to be a whitewash...but they're actually arresting people! :eek:

I wonder if Tony Blair is safe from Inspector Knacker?

Labour getting no less than it diserves. Shame they can't get the Tories, who did it just as much, no doubt.

The thing is, a crime was committed, but it has a certain interesting twist.

There was a list of donors, and a separate list of suggested honours. And at the time, officially, only Tony Blair had access to both. A lot of people had legitimate access to one or the other, but only Tony Blair had access to both at the same time. So unless there was some sort of collusion, he was involved.

Sadly, he is too powerful to prosecute. :rolleyes: But it is obvious that either he had a personal hand in the corruption, or he leaked his information to someone with the second half of the picture. The fundraiser had the list of donors. Perhaps he provided the list of proposed honours?

Or maybe Blair is innocent just this once, and this is "only" a matter of a conspiracy of corruption at the highest levels of the Labour Party. :rolleyes:

Either way, may more careers be thrown on the bonfire. This is why I love the British press, even if no prosecution can be brought, elements in the media can ensure extra-judicial punishment is dealt out in the form of question marks over people's integrity and premature halts to careers.

From the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5173860.stm)



Not exactly been a great few months for Blair, has it?


Not been a great few months?

I haven't seen someone age that much in such a short space of time. I think he'll go soon but don't think Brown will be any good.