Top Blair Advisers May Face Scandal Charges

THE corruption scandal involving British Prime Minister Tony Blair has intensified, with reports that police have called for charges against several advisers and a leaked document revealing his strategy for wooing and "flattering" wealthy donors.

Scotland Yard completed its 13-month "cash-for-peerages" inquiry and referred it to the Crown Prosecution Service on Friday. The Sunday Times later reported police were targeting Mr Blairs chief-of-staff, Jonathan Powell, over a secret meeting he allegedly held last year on "dealing with" the inquiry.

The newspaper alleged Mr Blairs government relations adviser, Ruth Turner, then composed an action plan, which was obtained by police.

It said police were urging the service to charge Mr Powell with attempting to pervert the course of justice, a more serious crime than selling peerages or failing to disclose funding, both of which were investigated.

Additional reports said police were urging the service to pursue other aides questioned during the inquiry.

The Sunday Telegraph published a Labour Party document defining the roles of Mr Blair, his chief fundraiser, Lord Michael Levy, and Mr Blairs most senior advisers in luring donors, giving them access to senior Labour figures and "creating a reason to give".

These included being "flattered" by donors offers of policy advice and arranging private meetings with Mr Blair.

The cash-for-peerages investigation was sparked by allegations the Labour Party had sold nominations for the House of Lords for secret loans of £14 million ($A33.5 million). Detectives expanded the investigation to include the other parties and interviewed 136 people — including Mr Blair — and arrested four people close to him: Lord Levy, Ms Turner, Labour backer Sir Christopher Evans and Des Smith. Mr Smith, who was involved in Mr Blairs pet education project, was released without charge.

Mr Blairs political strategist, John McTernan, was questioned as a suspect but not arrested. All have denied any wrongdoing.

The momentum for the case comes in what observers say may be Mr Blairs final weeks in office. The Guardian reported on Saturday he was preparing to announce his resignation on May 9 or 10, by which time the May 3 Scottish elections and a power-sharing agreement with Northern Ireland should be completed.

The Scottish National Party MP who tipped off police last year, Angus MacNeil, said of the cash-for-peerages developments: "I would think it unlikely we would see any charges before the (Scottish) election, but charges before (Mr Blair) steps down would certainly be possible. It casts a massive cloud over Tony Blairs premiership."

The Scottish elections are another possible thorn in the side of Mr Blair and his likely successor, Chancellor Gordon Brown. Polls indicate the Scottish National Party may triumph over Labour for the first time, and that the SNPs calls for independence are striking a chord among voters.

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