I’n not hundred percent sure what constitutes an “aide” to Tony Blair, but the woman who fills this helpful role has been arrested in the ongoing “cash for honours” investigations. 

If you don’t know what this is about,  some millionaire donors to the New labour election campaign were given peerages. This sparked an investigation when it became too obvious. This was an activity undertaken at the highest levels of the party, without even the knowledge of the financial controller. The investigation has been going on for months.

More information on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6279729.stm according to which, another three people have been arrested so far:

But until Friday only three people had been arrested – Lord Levy, the Labour Party’s chief fundraiser, Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans and head teacher Des Smith, who was involved in the government’s City Academy programme

The investigation has apparently widened to take in the other two main parties. The ex-Tory leader Michael Howard was also questioned. According to a BBC page

Tony Blair has been accused of selling peerages after four businessmen who gave Labour £4.5m in unpublicised loans were subsequently nominated for peerages. Labour went on to reveal it had been secretly loaned nearly £14m ahead of the last election. The Conservatives borrowed £16m from 13 wealthy backers. The Liberal Democrats have said they owe £850,000 to three backers. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4812822.stm)

At least it’s nice to see that the extra £2 million didn’t help the Conservatives, so maybe democracy is not yet completely for sale.

Technorati tags: politics, Tony Blair, honours, investigation.