More on cash for honours

In today's Independent, Andrew Grice, the paper's political editor has a story alleging that the only cabinet members who knew about the secret loans made to the Labour Party by rich supporters in search of honours were Tony Blair and Ian McCartney, now trade minister but, at the time under investigation, party chairman.

If Grice's report is accurate, the fog is beginning to clear, revealing that the police investigation is focusing on three individuals: Blair, McCartney and Lord Levy. Scotland Yard is probably working along the lines that: as chief fund raiser, Levy raised the money; as party chairman, McCartney would be in a position to unobtrusively handle the money; and, as prime minister and leader of the party, Blair was in a position to recommend the donors for honours.

Tags: Blair, cash for honours, Ian McCartney