Cash for Honours

Blair welcomes decision not to bring charges

Tony Blair today said he was "very pleased" no one would face charges after the cash-for-honours inquiry.

The former prime minister, who was questioned three times by detectives as a witness, said that all those involved had been put through a "terrible, even traumatic, time".

He also defended the police, accusing the Scottish National party of putting them "in an invidious position" by making the original complaint.

In a statement, Mr Blair said: "This investigation has ended as I always expected it would. Those involved have been through a terrible, even traumatic, time.

This doesn't mean they are innocent, just means there was not enough evidence.

There was no direct evidence because it was a nod nod wink wink deal, you know a case of 'I can't promise you anything but...', this has been going on for years.

I think the British police were aiming to humiliate the government, or at least knock it down a peg or two.

It will make the government think twice before handing out peerages.