Blair Questioned by the Scotland Yard on Peerage to NRI Businessmen

British Prime Minister Tony Blair was questioned by the Scotland Yard as part of an ongoing inquiry into charges that peerages had been offered on sale to four leading businessmen, include two of Indian origin.

This is the first time in the history of British parliamentary politics that the police have knocked on the doors of a serving prime minister at 10, Downing Street. The two-hour police encounter was highly embarrassing for Blair, who had promised to make politics 'whiter than white' when he came to power in 1997.

The four businessmen who were allegedly offered peerages in exchange for funds to the Labour party are Chai Patel, a chief executive of the up-market Priory Clinics, Ghulam Noon, Britain's leading food sector entrepreneur, stockbroker Barry Townsley and property developer David Garrard.

A spokesman for Blair said the prime minister had denied to the police that peerages had been offered for sale. Blair was not cautioned but interviewed as a witness without the presence of a lawyer.

The spokesman said - "The prime minister spoke to police today in Downing Street. This was not under caution, nor was he accompanied by a lawyer." The interview was described as robust and a civil servant was present to take notes.

The spokesman added that Blair explained to the police why the four businessmen had been nominated for peerages, and insisted that giving money to a political party should not prevent someone from receiving an honour.

The prime minister explained why he nominated each of the individuals and he did so as party leader in respect of the peerages reserved for party supporters as other party leaders do.


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