His meeting with the Prime Minister's 'gatekeeper', Ruth Turner, last summer left her in tears and triggered a police investigation into a possible cover-up.
Detectives are investigating whether Lord Levy later suggested to colleagues that they should not draw attention to his involvement in the discussions because of the fevered atmosphere surrounding the inquiry.
Lord Levy has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, but yesterday vigorously denied any wrongdoing.
Whereas the Times tells us that
Cash-for-honours inquiry will drag on to blight Blair’s final weeks in office
The cash-for-honours inquiry will stretch into April, casting a blight on Tony Blair’s last months as Prime Minister, The Times has learnt.
As Lord Levy, Mr Blair’s fund-raiser, went on the attack yesterday, claiming that he was being smeared and subjected to trial by media, it emerged that police are several interviews away from asking the Crown Prosecution Service to assess their files.
The paper continues
The disclosure of the new delay will dismay the Government and Labour MPs, who are desperate for the year-long inquiry to end because of the damage that it is doing to their standing. It was first expected to end this week, but the CPS is unlikely to receive the police file until next month at the earliest, or reach a decision before Mr Blair leaves office.
But it is not just the Uk that is seeing its politicans put under scrutiny,the Independent leads with
Liar in the White house: Cheney aide found guilty in CIA leak case
In a massive new blow to the credibility of the White House, Vice-President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff Lewis Libby has been convicted of obstruction of justice, perjury and lying to the FBI, during the investigation into the leaking of the identity of a CIA agent.
After a seven-week trial, the jury found Libby guilty yesterday on four of the five counts against him. Ever calm in court, Libby merely blinked as the verdict was read out. Defence lawyers immediately said they would seek a fresh trial, and if that failed, lodge an appeal. In theory Libby faces up to 25 years in jail, though federal sentencing guidelines mean he is likely to receive a far shorter term.
The Guardian reporting that
George Bush suffered a fresh setback yesterday when a top White House aide, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was found guilty of perjury in relation to events leading up to the invasion of Iraq.
Mr Bush, whose polling rates are already the worst of his six years in office as a result of Iraq, watched the verdict on television in the Oval office. A White House spokeswoman, Dana Perino, said the president "respected the jury's verdict" and that he was "saddened for Scooter Libby and his family".
The Telegraph claims on its front page that
Climb-down over junior doctor fiasco
The Government backed down yesterday and agreed to an immediate review of a flawed selection system that has left thousands of able young doctors without the prospect of a job and many threatening to leave the NHS.
The independent review will start today and may recommend changes to the system before the current interview round has been completed.
The Guardian adds that
The review will be led by the medical royal colleges. In an urgent attempt to sort out perceived injustices and regain the confidence of doctors, the first meeting will take place today. Decisions on whether to continue with the first round of interviews will be taken tomorrow.
The Times reports that
Private schools will have to prove charitable status
Independent schools are to be compelled to demonstrate how their charitable status benefits the poor, and to account for every penny they save through tax breaks valued at £88 million a year.
Bursaries, subsidised places, the sharing of lessons and sports grounds with state schools — all will come under close scrutiny, according to the draft guidance published by the Charity Commission today.
Phone ins continue to dominate the tabloids,the front page of the Sun proclaims
RIP OFF
VIEWERS are losing out DAILY as computers handling hit ITV phone-in votes crash, a whistleblower revealed yesterday.
The worker from ITV’s quiz operator Eckoh said shows including I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! Soapstar Superstar and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? were involved.
She told how thousands of viewers’ votes are not all counted because computers regularly go down at peak times — but the callers are still charged.
The Mirror meanwhile headlines with the story that
Embarrassed Judy gave him a whack as he shook his fist at the camera yesterday and launched into a tirade against the girl thug.
It may not have been subtle, but it did the trick - bringing a clearly outraged Richard back to his senses and allowing the couple to move on to their next guest.
A show spokesman said last night: "Richard was very upset and wanted to make his feelings known in angry defiance of the mugger."
Perhaps with a solution to the above,the paper asks for
ACTION ON TEENAGE RUNAWAYS
TEENAGERS kicked out by their parents are "one of the biggest causes of homelessness", the Government will warn today.
Figures show 21,950 youngsters in England left home after rows last year, with many falling into crime, drugs or alcohol.
Most of the teenagers resort to "sofa squatting" - sleeping at the homes of friends or relatives.
Others end up in bed-and-breakfast accommodation. Some go missing or end up sleeping rough.
In a speech for homeless charity Centrepoint, Housing Minister Yvette Cooper will announce plans for families with a spare room to take in teenagers for a short time.
The Telegraph previews today's elections in Northern Ireland
Adams berated by hard liners on eve of poll
As the Sinn Fein president made a final attempt to attract voters, around 250 rebel republicans took out an advertisement criticising his strategy of taking the historic step to finally recognise the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Republicans including a New York priest who was convicted for his part in the robbery of millions of dollars were named in the advert published in yesterday's edition of the nationalist-leaning Irish News.
The Independent meanwhile reveals
Paisley has power to dash hopes of election progress
Northern Ireland's voters go to the polls today in an election which, despite a remarkably low-key campaign, is expected to deliver a highly important result for the peace process.
They are to vote in Assembly elections which, Tony Blair is adamant, represent the last chance of restoring a power-sharing devolved government to Northern Ireland. If the hopes of London and Dublin are realised, the contest will pave the way for an agreement between Ian Paisley and his Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein.
The inter-governmental timetable envisages a new administration running before the end of this month. The nightmare scenario, however, is that Mr Paisley could opt for delay rather than an immediate breakthrough. It is not in doubt that his party will strengthen its existing position as the leading grouping in Unionism, which means he will have the option of becoming Northern Ireland's First Minister when the Assembly convenes on 26 March.
It also reports on more carnage in Iraq yesterday
Shia pilgrims die in bomb attack despite US offensive
Some 93 Shia pilgrims were killed and 150 wounded by two suicide bombers in the town of Hillah, 60 miles south of Baghdad yesterday. The attack is likely to lead Shia leaders to say that the US military offensive in Baghdad is failing to defend their people.
Sumatra quake kills 70 and death toll may rise reports the Guardian
A powerful earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra yesterday killed at least 70 people and injured hundreds more as buildings and homes collapsed.
Rescue workers fear the death toll could rise as hundreds more are thought to be trapped under the rubble of the shattered structures destroyed by the tremor, which measured 6.3 on the Richter scale.
Indonesian government rescue teams rushed to the area to assess the extent of the damage around the provincial capital of Padang, where telephone and power lines were cut, and roads damaged.
Back to the Uk and the Mail reports that
Labour texts immigrants 'pls cn u go hme?'
Labour will get tough on illegal immigrants - by sending them text messages begging them to go home.
Under desperate plans to clear a backlog of 600,000 cases, their driving licences could also be cancelledThe Home Office said the aim was to make their life in the UK "uncomfortable and constrained".
But critics said it showed the Government is incapable of finding and deporting illegal immigrants and is relying on gimmicks to look like it is tackling the problem.
The Express reports
ANGER AT PLAN TO FLY EU FLAG OVER BRITAIN
a proposed new law that could see the UK’s Union Flag replaced by the EU banner was bitterly condemned yesterday.Angry MPs and campaigners said the plan is the latest stealth attack on our treasured national emblem.The row erupted after it was revealed that a bill going through Parliament proposes giving the EU banner the same status as the Union Flag.If the legislation succeeds it will effectively mean the European Union flag – a circle of 12 yellow stars on a blue background – being designated a national symbol.
Whilst the Independent reports that
Cameron softens Tories' EU stance
Outlining his European policy in Brussels, the Tory leader adopted a different tone to his predecessors but offered little prospect of policy changes and opposed plans to revive the stalled EU constitution as a slimline or "mini-treaty".
Mr Cameron said: "My approach to European negotiations will be different. I believe that the best way to pursue your national interest is not to posture but to persuade. I will work to create a flexible Europe by building alliances with those who share our interests and our ideas."
The Telegraph has a large photograph of dogs on its front page but with a serious headline
Cruelty row on eve of Crufts
as dog breeders across the world converge on Crufts 2007 to fight it out for the most prestigious prizes in the dog world, an almighty row is raging behind the scenes which calls into question the very principles on which such shows are based.
For some Crufts, and other dog shows represent a world which favours superficial beauty over health, putting the personal whims of breeders and judges before the well-being of the animals.
The Express returns to the weather theme on its front page with a picture of the County Ground at Worcester under water under the headline
Stand by for more floods
THE country was put on severe flood alert last night with lives and property at risk.Two hundred areas were in danger of being submerged as swollen rivers threatened to burst their banks.Torrential downpours on top of earlier heavy rain plunged the country into crisis – and forecasters warned there was worse to come with more storms expected tomorrow night and at the weekend.The Environment Agency admitted that the danger of further heavy rain was “worrying” and warned everyone to be vigilant.
Finally a number of the papers cover the story of
Tesco fuel row 'booze snatch' the Sun reports
BAILIFFS seized £60,000 of booze from Tesco after it failed to pay a driver whose van was hit by dodgy fuel, it was claimed yesterday.
When David Bond, 59, filled up at his local store in 2003 the diesel — contaminated with water — caused £3,400 damage.
Tesco — which admitted liability — offered to pay 25 per cent of the costs. But a county court hearing in December ordered the supermarket to pay Mr Bond, of Swindon, the rest by December 12.
When it failed to pay, a bailiff seized booze from the Gloucester shop. It may be sold at auction.
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