No 10 denies ‘secret email’ honours claims
Downing Street has denied claims of a secret email system at No 10 from which messages potentially crucial to the cash-for-honours probe had been deleted.
ITV News claimed last night that detectives had uncovered a second IT system including emails relating to House of Lords nominations, some of which appeared to have been deleted.
It claims the discovery prompted the arrest of Ruth Turner last week on suspicion of breaking the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act and on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. She was not charged and denies any wrongdoing.
The TV channel also claims “indiscrete” emails have also been found between Ms Turner, Tony Blair’s director of government relations, Lord Levy, the prime minister’s personal fundraiser and Jonathan Powell, his chief of staff.
However, Downing Street issued a firm rebuttal, saying: “This story is untrue. There is no second computer system at No10.
“There are no e-mails of the type that seem to be described. The police have had full access to the system and full cooperation and the police have not put any of this to us.”
Scotland Yard officers are investigating allegations that parties took secret loans from wealthy businessmen in return for nominating them for a peerage. The row began in relation to four Labour donors, but everyone involved has denied wrongdoing.
Mr Blair is one of about 90 people who have been questioned in the probe, and four people have been arrested, including Ms Turner and Lord Levy. They both protest their innocence.
