LONDON - Police arrested and questioned a senior aide to Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday in what seemed to be a widening inquiry into allegations that political leaders traded high honors for campaign contributions made as loans.
The aide, Ruth Turner, is director of government relations in the prime minister's office at 10 Downing St. and denied "wrongdoing of any nature whatsoever."
Blair said he had "complete confidence" in Turner, 36, who is one of the officials who control access to Blair.
Police said Turner had been questioned not just in connection with the honors inquiry but also "on suspicion of perverting the course of justice."
Under British law that often means someone has failed to cooperate with or frustrated an investigation. The police statement drew questions from opposition politicians about a possible cover-up.
Police said this "new development" would require extended inquiries.
Since last year, Blair has been embroiled in questions about campaign financing before the May 2005 national election. Police are investigating whether people who made loans to the ruling Labor Party did so in return for promises that they would be appointed to the House of Lords.
The amount involved was equivalent to $27 million.
Blair himself was questioned by investigators last month.
The inquiry was started after a complaint by a Scottish Nationalist parliamentarian, Angus MacNeil, who said Friday: "Water is now lapping around Blair's neck. The investigation is now right inside the door of No. 10."
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