adds report on police questioning Trade Minister Ian McCartney
LONDON (AFX) - Science Minister Lord Sainsbury has been questioned by police as part of the 'loans for peerages' inquiry, according to a report on the BBC News website citing a spokesman for the minister.
The spokesman said Lord Sainsbury was not cautioned before being questioned but he refused to give any more details, the report said.
The BBC also reported that Trade and Industry Minister Ian McCartney had been questioned, without citing sources.
The Labour Party press office was not taking calls and McCartney's spokesman is presently out of the country.
He is the first government minister known to have been questioned by police during the investigation into all the main parties to see whether people have been given honours in return for making donations to party funds.
The news follows the arrest and questioning earlier this week of Lord Levy, Labour Party fundraiser and close ally of Prime Minister Tony Blair. newsdesk@afxnews.com cw/fp/jc1 COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited