Cash for honours inquiry to conclude ‘as quickly as possible’
The Crown Prosecution Service could soon be in a position to launch a prosecution over the cash for honours inquiry.
Assistant commissioner John Yates, who is leading the Scotland Yard investigation has told MPs he will “conclude inquiries as quickly as possible and hand a full file to the CPS soon after.”
In a letter to Tony Wright, chairman of the Commons public administration committee, Mr Yates, however, refused to commit to any deadline, saying it would be “unwise” and “unrealistic” to do so.
The committee delayed its own inquiry into the cash for honours scandal pending the police inquiry and is understood to be annoyed at how long Scotland Yard is taking to report to the CPS.
Mr Yates criticised the ongoing speculation into the inquiry into his progress, labelling it “inaccurate” and “far from helpful”.
He also confirmed the investigation was working in “an extremely secure environment”. This is likely to reignite questions on where recent leaks originated. Downing Street has denied any involvement.
Four people have been arrested since the investigation began, including Labour’s chief fundraiser Lord Levy and Downing Street aide Ruth Turner. None have been charged on any offence and all deny any wrongdoing.
Mr Yates said he was continuing to focus on any breach of the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, despite Lord Levy and Ms Turner’s arrests for perverting the course of justice.
However, he said the investigation could be broadened to include other investigations as they come to light.
“This is precisely what has happened,” he wrote.
“It would clearly be unrealistic to think that all these matters could be followed through and concluded without commentary.”
Mr Yates wrote to MPs on March 9th, but his letter was only released today. He last wrote to the committee in November and originally said his investigation would be completed by January.
