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Champagne for Lord Levy as cash for honours case collapses
Last updated at 09:48am on 23.07.07Tony Blair's chief fundraiser Lord Levy toasted the collapse of the cash-for-honours case with champagne today.
Welcoming the decision Lord Levy, who was arrested as part of the inquiry, thanked his family and legal team for standing by him during what he said was an "incredibly long and extremely stressful" period.
The cash-for-honours inquiry put those involved through a "traumatic time", Tony Blair said.
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In the clear: Ruth Turner heads for work in a cab and a jubilant Lord Levy
In a pre-prepared statement Lord Levy told reporters: "It comes as a great relief that after a complete and thorough investigation assessed by the country's leading legal experts I have been exonerated as we expected.
"I do not intend to comment on the police's handling of this inquiry.
"I am sure if there are any issues which need to be looked at others with much more experience and who are better qualified will do so."
Lord Levy added that he was "disapppointed" by the constant media leaks that have occurred throughout the case.
"I have been disappointed by the constant leaks to the media which have been misleading, factually inaccurate and personally damaging.
"I always had confidence that no charges would be brought against me", he said.
After making his statement, he left, smiling, responding only to the question "Will you have a party?" with "I'm thinking about it".
Head of the CPS Special Crime Division Carmen Dowd said: "Having considered all of the evidence in this case I have decided that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against any individual for any offence in relation to this matter."
His mood was in stark contrast to Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service after the launch of a formal inquiry amid huge criticism when it emerged that no one will face charges after a 16-month police probe costing £800,000.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates defended his cash-for-honours inquiry saying it was "absolutely proper" that when appropriate detectives used the full range powers at their disposal.
The detective recognised that his inquiry, which lasted more than a year, had not been a "comfortable time" for those who came under the investigative spotlight, including Tony Blair's fundraiser Lord Levy.
He said: "With allegations such as these, which were of utmost seriousness, the investigation had to be thorough and meticulous in every respect."
His boss, Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, added that Mr Yates and his team had his "full support and confidence".
"The inquiry has been a meticulous and proportionate response to the serious allegations that were made," Sir Ian said.
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Sir Christopher Evans was detained over allegations concerning the abuse of the honours system
Tony Blair said today he was "very pleased" no one would face charges over the cash-for-honours allegations. The former prime minister, who was quizzed three times by detectives as a witness, said all those involved had been put through a "terrible, even traumatic time".
The handling of the case by Assistant Commissioner John Yates will now come under close scrutiny
In a statement, he said: "This investigation has ended as I always expected it would.
"Those involved have been through a terrible, even traumatic time. Much of what has been written and said about them has been deeply unfair, and I am very pleased for all of them that it is now over."
He went on: "I want to make it clear that I level no criticism at the police.
"They were put in an invidious position by the SNP complaint and had a very difficult task to perform.
"The police were right to carry out a thorough and complete investigation.
The investigation went right to the top with Mr Blair becoming the first serving prime minister to be questioned by detectives. The length and scope of the inquiry raised expectations that there were likely to be grounds to bring charges.
A close friend of Ruth Turner today launched a stinging attack on the Met over its handling of the inquiry.
Simon Danczuk said Scotland Yard had "serious questions" to answer and accused police of a series of damaging leaks that had taken a "detrimental" toll on Ms Turner.
Other friends attack the "blatant intimidation" of the dawn raid on her home that police carried out earlier this year.
Gordon Brown gave the police his full backing today, declaring that they were right to launch a thorough investigation.
Speaking at a Paris press conference after talks with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, he said:
"What I can say is that these were very serious allegations, it's right that the police investigated these matters and I hope that once the police make the statement and the Crown Prosecution Service makes it clear, that we can bring an end to what has been now months of speculation."
He added that in the wake of the affair all parties should unite to "try and get a better system of political funding in our country".
Glen Smyth, spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Federation, defended the conduct of Assistant Commissioner John Yates, saying: "He's a decent man he deserves better than this."
In his statement Yates said he would now provide the Metropolitan Police Authority with a report accounting for "both the cost and the outcome of what has been a high profile and resource intensive investigation".
He said: "There can be little doubt it has been a challenging case. The proportionality and necessity of any action were matters uppermost in my mind throughout.
"Some have been surprised about the intensity and length of the police investigation and I recognise that this has not been a comfortable time for any of those people who came under the investigative spotlight."
But he stressed that despite the discomfort, the allegations were serious, adding: "It was absolutely proper therefore that, when appropriate, police used the full range of powers at their disposal to gather the available evidence or potential evidence."
Reader views (19)
I'm actually really glad they've been cleared. Lord Levy was definitely being made a scapegoat, especially by a hostile tabloid media. What I think people forget is that he was raising funds for the Labour party, not himself.
- Rachel Parr, London, England
Bang goes any remaining credibility we have in moralising to other countries about political corruption.
- Laurence, London
Did we expect anything else? No wonder we have so many young people who think they can get away with anything. What a good example our so-called leaders show us. How can we respect people like Blair, Brown and co? This used to be a country to be proud of- sadly no longer.
- Maura Casey, London UK
This was a put on police investigation to make the public think they were doing a good job investigating and gathering evidence. It's simply a show like all of Blair's SPIN. They never were going to be prosecuted and never will be, that conclusion was known at the beginning of the investigation. A waste of taxpayers' money for a conclusion already known. If Brown has substance and wants to be liked as a people's Prime Minister, he needs to prosecute even if they are from his own party.
- N Parmar, London, UK
Is anyone really surprised at yet another Labour whitewash, time and time again they get out of any investigation, we all know full well there have been plenty of lies spin and corruption during the last ten years. This truly sickens me to the very pit of my stomach, democracy is truly dead in the UK and politicians can do whatever they want and they will ALWAYS get away with it.
It's no real surprise that not enough evidence was found after all they are all lawyers and they are hardly likely to say anything that would incriminate themselves.
I am absolutely disgusted by this government's behaviour time and time again it really saddens me.
- Phillip Harris, London
At least George Bush had the guts to do an official pardon!
- C Kenning, Oxford
New Labour has really infected this country with corrupt power hungry politicians and poor police.
You can not in a developed country buy people like this. The House of Lords is supposed to be the independent check of the Lower House.
And the police should have reported properly.
- Mw, Primrose Hill, London
No surprises there then.
- Jay, London, UK
Keith, Hull. I agree with your comments for the most part but I don't think that the collapse of this case is the Police's fault - politicians are certainly to blame.
I think that the behaviour of our policitians is disgraceful but until we, the people, band together and tell them that it's unacceptable to behave in this way it will continue.
- Penny, Bath, Somerset
I thougt new labour was squeaky clean?
- Georgie, London
Surprise surprise. Empty the prisons, they're all not-guilty!
- Cw, London
Why bother investigating in the first place? Yet again the police prove toothless when those at the top are threatened. Doesn't give you much faith in justice does it.
- Dan, Manchester
Obviously too many powerful interests in this business. All justice can hope for now is a whistle blower.
- Keith, Dartmouth Devon
Shock, horror. Is anyone suprised?
- James, Essex
Did this come as a surprise to anyone? The Criminal Prosecution Service was never going to let anyone be charged. I feel sorry for John Yates, who must have thought that there was really a chance of charges being laid. The Rule of Law doesn't apply in the U.K.
- Phil Jones, London UK
Shock, horror, Blair's cronies get away with it, and undoubtedly will all get new roles working for him.
- Trevor Roll, London
This stinks and does nothing to restore the public's faith in a clearly corrupt political system.
- R, London
This case was a dodo from the outset and was never going to take off -with so much political influence riding on its back. Also the Police were severely constrained by the attendant circumstances and some of the media.
- Robert, Kirk Ella, East Yorks
Once again we see politicians getting away with illegal activities , I wonder how anyone is ever going to trust politicians and the police again if every time something like this happens nothing is done about it.
Before New labour, if a Minister or MP was even suspected of wrong doing, covering up, misleading the public he or she resigned , now with New Labour we are left with dishonourable men and women who think they are above the law running our country.
- Keith, Hull
