raze78
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
Posts: 526
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Lord Levy
 Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:51 am
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(funny how this crook uses the antisemitism card to try and wriggle out of the cash for peerages affair. He was blasted on morning TV today)
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=360452007
Levy says any trial may be 'unfair'
JAMES KIRKUP AND GERRI PEEV
LORD Levy, the Labour fundraiser at the eye of the cash-for-peerages storm, yesterday gave a veiled warning that a string of leaks about the affair could prejudice any criminal action against him.
He issued a pointed legal statement after fresh details emerged of a Downing Street document said to implicate him in attempts to mislead police during their investigation of allegations that Labour offered peerages in exchange for secret loans.
The document was prepared by Ruth Turner, a senior aide to Tony Blair, and is reported to say that in a private meeting last summer, Lord Levy encouraged her to alter or shape her evidence to the police.
This year, both Ms Turner and Lord Levy have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Neither has been charged and both deny any wrongdoing.
News of the explosive document's existence has leaked into the public domain despite legal attempts to gag first the BBC and then the Guardian newspaper.
Those legal bids were formally abandoned yesterday.
Shortly afterwards, Scotland Yard repeated warnings that such revelations about the cash-for-peerages affair could "undermine" its criminal investigation and any legal proceedings that might follow by prejudicing potential witnesses and jurors.
That risk of the legal process collapsing has led to speculation that Downing Street officials have deliberately orchestrated the leaks.
The Prime Minister's spokesman yesterday insisted no-one in No 10 had a part in this week's revelations emerging.
He said the earlier injunction had been sought because the media had been at risk of reporting "inaccuracies" in relation to the case.
"We have tried to stay out of this story, we have tried to avoid commenting, but on one or two occasions we have felt we had no choice," he said.
Through his lawyer, Lord Levy yesterday released a statement that appeared to warn that coverage of the police probe could colour public perceptions of the process and those involved.
"There has been a regular stream of leaks to the media during this year-long investigation, all of which have presented a prejudiced and distorted view. Cumulatively, these leaks and reports have created a climate which does not allow for any fair assessment of the investigation," the statement said.
It added: "Any fair-minded person must realise the intolerable burden that is placed on Lord Levy and his family by this media-style trial when Lord Levy is unable to defend himself on these matters whilst the police investigation continues."
The statement went on: "All the reports appear to be based on second-hand information given by someone or some people who are intent on smearing Lord Levy. They also seem to want to manipulate the outcome of the police inquiry."
There was also a suggestion from Lord Levy's rabbi that anti-semitism could be behind the "smear" campaign.
Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet said: "It does become very damaging to Anglo-Jewry in particular... and the wider public when we have this running on."
Rabbi Schochet said he did not believe the leaks came from No 10, but rather other "sinister" corners.
Lord Levy is still officially Mr Blair's envoy to the Middle East, for which he is not paid, and accompanied the Prime Minister to Ramallah, in the West Bank, on his latest trip to the region.
Mr Blair refused to say at a press conference yesterday whether he still had confidence in him or Ms Turner.
Meanwhile, Scotland Yard expressed its dismay at the continued media coverage of its investigation, but acknowledged: "It is no longer tenable or appropriate for us to seek to maintain any of the existing undertakings or injunction against other media."
Angus MacNeil, the SNP MP whose complaint sparked the inquiry, called for whoever was behind the leak to be "smoked out and brought to book".
Ken MacDonald, the director of public prosecutions, called for restraint in the press coverage of the affair. He said: "We're all for openness, but while a police inquiry is going on it's very important that there's not public discussion of developments."
Q & A: HONOURS
What is the fuss about?
The row centres on a communication between Ruth Turner, head of government relations at No10, and Jonathan Powell, Tony Blair's chief of staff.
What does this document allegedly say?
Reports suggest Ms Turner said Lord Levy had put forward a version of events she felt was "not true". There are suggestions that the document alleges Lord Levy may have attempted to influence or shape the evidence of a senior aide. Lord Levy has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Why did the Attorney General seek an injunction against the BBC on Friday to block it broadcasting this, but dropped a legal bid against the Guardian?
Downing Street says the initial report the BBC planned to broadcast was inaccurate, although it would not specify what it disputed. The Attorney General, not No10, sought the injunction. All legal bids were dropped after the Guardian said its story had already gone to press.
So was this an attempt by No10 to try and gag the media from revealing something which could be politically damaging?
The Attorney General and Downing Street both insist the injunction was sought after a suggestion by the Metropolitan Police, who were worried that the speculation could hamper the inquiry.
How could this hamper the inquiry and why is everyone so sensitive about it?
Lord Levy's lawyers suggest the speculation - or "trial by media" - would make any fair assessment of the case impossible. The rush to obtain an injunction suggests some form of charges may be imminent.
Who was behind the leak?
Downing Street and the Crown Prosecution Service have all denied their departments and staff were behind the leak. Interestingly, the BBC admitted it did not have the document itself, but had been told of its contents by two separate sources.
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"Hikow mamtaqiym wkulow mahamadiym zeh dowdiy wzeh ree`iy bnowt yruushaalaaim."
Song of Solomon 5:16, Hebrew original. |
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