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The cash-for-honours
episode. Des Smith, a head teacher and council member of the
trust that helps recruit sponsors for Tony Blair’s controversial
city academies, disclosed that if a donor gave sufficient money
to sponsor the schools, he could be nominated for an OBE, CBE
or even a knighthood. Mr Smith was subsequently detained and
questioned by the Specialist Crime Directorate in connection
with inquiries into possible offences under the 1925 Honours
(Prevention of Abuses) Act. Blair's chief fund-raiser, Lord Levy
(nicknamed Lord Cashpoint after raising £40 million for
Labour over the past decade) looks set to be called into the
"headmaster's office" next, although he seems determined
not be the "fall guy" for the Prime Minister. If he
squeals that he was simply acting under orders, it makes it far
more likely that the Prime Minister will be hauled in for a "whacking",
without the protection of Levy's millions.
The Independent on Sunday;
Sunday 16/4/06 |
