A day later, Blair gets the probe call

Ex-PM was questioned over the peerage row

LONDON: Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been questioned for a third time by London detectives investigating allegations of illegal political party funding. A spokesman for Blair, 54, who stepped down on Wednesday and will take up a role as Middle East peace envoy, would neither confirm nor deny the reports.

A police spokesman said they were not prepared to discuss the matter. Since March last year, detectives have been investigating whether political parties nominated people for state honours that come with seats in parliament’s unelected upper house, the House of Lords, in return for cash. He has been questioned twice before as a witness, the first serving prime minister to be quizzed in a criminal investigation.

Prosecutors are considering whether charges should be brought against any individuals involved in the probe, which cast a shadow over the final months of Blair’s premiership. Detectives also investigated whether members of Blair’s inner circle sought to conceal evidence from police. Two close Blair aides are among three people who remain on police bail and both are under suspicion of taking part in a cover-up. All those questioned in the probe deny any wrongdoing. As he left office, it was announced that Blair would represent the US, UN, European Union and Russia, in efforts to negotiate peace in the Middle East.