Lord Levy ‘denies any wrong doing’ as injunction lifted
Lord Levy, Labour’s chief fundraiser, “categorically denies” any wrong doing over the cash-for-honours investigation.
His denial follows an article in today’s Guardian, reporting the police are investigating claims that Lord Levy asked Number Ten aide Ruth Turner to “modify” her evidence for the inquiry.
The paper published the article after avoiding an injunction sought by Scotland Yard and the attorney general Lord Goldsmith.
Alan Rusbridger, the Guardian’s editor, said that the article was well sourced and “clearly in the public interest”. In response to the paper’s decision to run the story, Scotland Yard has expressed its “disappointment”, but has been forced to lift an injunction banning the BBC from running a similar story.
The BBC reported today that its story centred on a document sent by Ms Turner. Sources told the broadcaster that the Number Ten aide was concerned that a version of events Lord Levy put to her were untrue.
Lord Levy’s solicitor, Neil O’May, from Bindman & Partners, said that the claims stem from media reports that are “partial, contradictory, confused and inaccurate”.
In a statement Mr O’May said: “Lord Levy categorically denies any wrong-doing whatsoever, as he has throughout this lengthy police investigation.
“There has been a regular stream of leaks to the media during this year-long investigation, all of which have presented a prejudiced and distorted view. Cumulatively, these leaks and reports have created a climate which does not allow for any fair assessment of the investigation.”
Mr O’May claimed the reports are highly damaging and prejudicial to Lord Levy, adding: “Any fair-minded person must realise the intolerable burden that is placed on Lord Levy and his family by this media- style trial when Lord Levy is unable to defend himself on these matters whilst the police investigation continues.”
Scotland Yard said: “Although the Guardian knew we remained concerned that publication risked undermining the investigation, they went ahead with printing and distribution of the paper even while the injunction was being sought.
“In view of the Guardian story it is no longer tenable or appropriate for us to seek to maintain any of the existing undertakings or injunction against other media.”
“However, we remain concerned that the reporting of certain aspects of this information could undermine the investigation.”
It is because of supposed inaccuracies that Number Ten yesterday broke its long-standing policy of ‘no comment’ and contradicted the claims surrounding the BBC’s story.
Tony Blair’s official spokesman said: “[there was a] real danger yesterday that something that was fundamentally incorrect was going to be accepted as fact.
“We have tried to stay out of this story, we have tried to avoid commenting, but on one or two occasions we have felt we had no choice.”
He added that he had “absolutely no reason to believe that Number Ten was involved in the Guardian story”. Yesterday he categorically denied any involvement from Downing Street in leaking the story.
Following the lifting of the BBC embargo, the Liberal Democrats described today’s activities as a “very serious turn of events”.
Sir Menzies Campbell’s chief of staff Edward Davey said: “It is now crystal clear why the police have been so dogged in their inquiry. It is vital they now have the time and space to take this serious matter to a final conclusion.
“Whether or not Jonathan Powell saw the actual document, it’s difficult to believe that Ruth Turner did not inform him of such serious concerns. Therefore it’s also difficult to believe the prime minister’s chief of staff did not inform Tony Blair.”
Lord Levy and Ms Turner have been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Both deny any wrongdoing and no charges have been brought.
