Sun ‘gagged’ over cash-for-honours
The Sun newspaper has been banned from publishing an email between two Number Ten aides relating to the cash-for-honours investigation.
The attorney general last night successfully sought an injunction against the newspaper, preventing it from printing an allegedly “explosive” email between Tony Blair’s aide Ruth Turner and Number Ten chief of staff Jonathon Powell.
It is now known that the subject of the email was Lord Levy, Labour’s chief fundraiser, but media outlets are still barred from revealing the contents.
Attorney general Lord Goldsmith is thought to have been acting on behalf of the Metropolitan police who feared publication of the memo would “impede” their year-long inquiry.
This has prompted speculation that a trial is likely, with the attorney general acting to prevent prejudicing the outcome. The police are due to conclude their investigation shortly and the Crown Prosecution Service will then decide whether to press charges.
It is also reported that the police are yet to question Ms Turner and Mr Powell over the content of the memo.
The injunction against the Sun follows a High Court order on Friday blocking a BBC report which centred on the same email.
Downing Street has denied that it is behind this latest leak. Tony Blair’s spokesman said that any suggestion Number Ten had released the email was “just plain wrong”.
It has been suggested that police were concerned that deliberate attempts to leak information could be intended to “wreck” the investigation.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the inquiry; Ms Turner, as well as Labour fundraiser Lord Levy, former head teacher Des Smith and Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans. No charges have been brought. Mr Blair has been interviewed twice as a witness to the inquiry.
