London: Police investigating the cash-for-honours scandal wanted to interview British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a suspect, but backed off after being warned that it could trigger his resignation.
Allies of Blair indicated to Scotland Yard that his position as Prime Minister would become untenable if he were treated as a suspect, rather than simply as a witness. Investigators had hoped to question Blair under caution during the second of the two interviews at 10, Downing Street.
They wanted him to clarify comments he had made during his first interview about an alleged cover-up by his senior aides. There were difficult discussions before a political intermediary made senior detectives aware of the serious implications of treating the Prime Minister as a suspect, sources close to the inquiry were quoted as saying by The Sunday Telegraph.
"Make no mistake, Scotland Yard was informed that Blair would resign as Prime Minister if he was interviewed under caution," the sources said, adding they were placed in a very difficult position.
Eventually, Downing Street won the battle of wills when two officers saw the Prime Minister for a second time on January 26, he was again not interviewed for "operational reasons" at the request of police, but this was lifted after six days.
Scotland Yard has, however, not ruled out interviewing Blair for a third time if there is important new evidence to put to him. It is even possible that, as the inquiry drags on, he could be interviewed possibly as a suspect after he steps down as Prime Minister in three months, the paper said.
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