Police quiz Curry Queen linked to Cherie Blair over people smuggling

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Nighat Awan, 52, was detained 'on suspicion of conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration'.

In February, her husband, Rafique Awan, was arrested in the same inquiry. He was questioned after police searched the couple's £4million 'White House-style' mansion in Hale Barns, Cheshire.

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Cherie Blair with Mrs Awan at her garden party

The Awans own the Shere Khan chain of restaurants and have been dubbed the King and Queen of Curry.

Last year Mrs Awan was appointed head of a Department of Trade and Industry-backed group to support black and ethnic minority businesses.

She is a close ally of Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, and was awarded an OBE three years ago.

As part of Operation Chalice, which targets organised immigration crime, 70 suspected illegal immigrants were arrested in February during police raids on Indian restaurants, several in the Shere Khan chain.

The Mail on Sunday understands Mrs Awan was questioned after voluntarily attending St Helens police station.

Three years ago, Mrs Blair was guest of honour at a garden party held by Mrs Awan. The entrepreneur and her family have also toured Downing Street.

Mrs Awan is one of Britain's richest businesswomen, with a fortune estimated at £35million. She has become increasingly active in politics.

An after-dinner speaking agency boasts of her 'one-to-one briefings and interaction with senior Government Ministers'.

Mrs Awan has previously admitted spending £4,000 on a Labour event in Wigan, but claims not to remember if it was before or after getting her OBE.

She was an investor in research firm DNA Bioscience, which appointed David Blunkett as a director in 2005. It later emerged he had not consulted the Whitehall watchdog over the position.

Merseyside Police said they had 'arrested a 52-year-old woman on suspicion of conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration'.