Evans ‘shocked’ at arrest over cash for honours
The third man to be questioned in connection with the “cash for honours” scandal has been named as Sir Christopher Evans, who has said he is “shocked” at his arrest.
The investigation focuses on claims that millionaires were awarded peerages after loaning Labour large sums of cash in the run up to the 2005 general election.
Sir Christopher released a statement saying he was “shocked and dismayed” by his arrest, adding: “I voluntarily attended the police interview and have always been happy to provide the police with any information they have requested.
“There was nothing raised in the interview that caused me or my solicitor any concern or to think that I have done something wrong.
“I have done nothing wrong and have absolutely nothing to hide.”
He said he made the loan – reportedly £1 million – in early 2005 because he “was not prepared to make such a substantial donation”.
And he insisted he would never have done so if “I thought for one moment I would be placed in this embarrassing and mind-boggling position”.
Sir Christopher – the founder of Merlin Biosciences and a member of the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology – was also appointed to the UK Stem Cell Initiative to advise the government on medical technology.
He was knighted in 2001 and awarded an OBE in 1995 for his services to biotechnology.
The businessman stressed: “I am proud to have been honoured twice in the past by both Conservative and Labour governments for my work in the medical biosciences sector.
“That is the only basis on which I would accept any honour.”
Labour’s chief fundraiser Lord Levy has also been questioned for a second time.
Lord Levy, 62, who was arrested on July 12th, is the prime minister’s personal fundraiser and Middle East envoy.
A statement from Scotland Yard confirmed that Mr Levy “returned on bail on September 20th where he was interviewed then re-bailed to return pending further inquiries”.
Lord Levy was questioned in a follow-up interview by Scotland Yard’s Serious Crime Directorate over allegations that political parties had awarded peerages for cash.
His spokesman insisted he had fully co-operated with police, saying: “Lord Levy returned as requested to meet the police today to help them with their ongoing investigation.”
Lord Levy’s was the second arrest in the relation to the inquiry – head teacher Des Smith was the first.
Mr Smith – a member of the council of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT), of which Lord Levy is president – was arrested and bailed in April.
The SSAT helps the government find private sponsorship for city academy schools.
Mr Smith told an undercover Sunday Times reporter that receiving an honour after making a donation was normal practice, and later resigned from the trust.
All three men maintain their innocence.
