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Blair aide could be a witness in cash-for-honours court case
Last updated at 21:52pm on 14.07.07Tony Blair's close aide Ruth Turner is set to escape charges in the loans-for-peerages inquiry - but may have to take the stand as a prosecution witness.
Ms Turner, the former No10 director of government relations, has been arrested and questioned under caution during the year-long police investigation.
Now she is expected to be compelled to testify against Lord Levy, the former Labour fundraiser, should he be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by trying to block the investigation into the alleged sale of honours.
A source close to the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The prosecutors are working on the assumption that she will be a hostile witness but her evidence will be vital."
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Ms Turner has been arrested and questioned under caution during the police investigation
The Metropolitan Police investigation began last March after it disclosed that four businessmen had been nominated for peerages after making substantial loans to Labour. Initially, officers focused on allegations that Labour had breached the 1925 Act banning the sale of honours.
However, the inquiry switched direction after police complained that crucial evidence had been withheld, amid suspicions of a cover-up.
The Mail on Sunday has been told that Lord Levy's lawyers have written to the CPS stating that, if he is charged, he will call Mr Blair as a defence witness.
The Labour peer has always maintained that his fundraising activities were carried out with the full support of the then Prime Minister. A friend of Lord Levy said: "Michael still maintains he is innocent of any wrongdoing."
It is understood that bio-technology millionaire Sir Christopher Evans, who gave Labour £1million in loans, faces being charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Sir Christopher was at the centre of controversy after it was reported that he had a conversation with Lord Levy about a "K' or a "P' - a knighthood or a peerage.
A spokesman for Sir Christopher said: "He does not believe that charges should be brought or that there is any basis for them to be brought."
The CPS said: "No decision has been taken in this case yet."
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