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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Matthew Tempest

Is Downing Street more spun against than spinning?

Maybe it's the laws of libel. Maybe it's the fact that this (according to my rough arithmetic) is the fifth arrest in the 10-month-long cash-for-honours investigation (although only the fourth suspect; Lord Levy has now been arrested twice). But few bloggers seem to be interested anymore.

So it's left to the lobby blogging fraternity to comment on the latest developments. The conclusion seems to be that Downing Street believes it is more spun against than spinning.

Benedict Brogan's Mail blog is not alone in suggesting that, although the investigation makes Britain look like a banana republic, the police might also be getting desperate, and that putting the frighteners on Lord Levy. A second arrest, he thinks, suggests they are no nearer to proving their case.

Nick Robinson reports that elements within the Blair Bunker see it now as a spin operation by the police against the prime minister. (Serious stuff, although I'd like to know what these supposed "leaks" are - the police have been very tight-lipped as far as I can see.)

"This is causing huge anger within Downing Street. I've been talking to people close to Tony Blair who are spitting blood about leaks from the police, and what they see as smears against elected politicians. They increasingly believe that the police have got very little but can't let go of this investigation."

Guido, who made some of the early running in the saga, merely poppped out buy some champagne.

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