Police upset by political interference in their inquiries.
Jonathan Powell, the out-going Prime Minister Tony Blair's Chief of Staff, is in double trouble. He is wanted by the police for his roles both in the cash for honours scandal and the BAE/Saudi Arabia bribes for arms scandal. It is understood that an international arrest warrant is being sought by the US Department of Justice which is investigating the UK's role in the BAE/Saudi affair. Police have discovered emails and mobile phone traces between Lord Charles Powell an adviser to BAE Systems, and his brother Jonathan Powell. It was Jonathan Powell who advised the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, not to pursue a prosecution as it would not be in the national interests.
Downing Street is claiming that it is irrelevant that the Powells are brothers, because it is claimed that they did not discuss either of the cases. Poor Lord Charles Powell is suffering from a bout of selective amnesia, he has stated that he cannot recall if he discussed the matters with his brother. Of course, ha, ha, it was only a £40 billion contract. One must forget this kind of thing all the time. "It's perfectly possible", he says, as an after thought, "I mean I honestly can't remember...We discussed all sorts of things". No Freedom of Information Act here, as Lord Powell believes that what they discussed is "sacrosanct". Right.
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