Hain questioned in honours probe

Mr Hain was said to be at the 'periphery' of the inquiry

Welsh and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has been interviewed by police as part of the cash for honours inquiry, a spokesman has confirmed.

The interview was conducted at Mr Hain's London home towards the end of last month. He was not under caution.

Detectives asked Mr Hain about the people he has nominated for honours and the reasons for the nominations.

Mr Hain's spokesman said the police indicated the interview was at the "periphery" of their investigation.

Tony Blair was interviewed on Thursday at Downing Street as part of the cash-for-honours inquiry.

Mr Hain is not thought to be connected to any of the names at the centre of the inquiry, which was prompted by a complaint by Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party after major lenders to the Labour Party were nominated for peerages.

According to Mr Hain's spokesman, the police indicated that the interview was part of the process of understanding the nominations system.

Downing Street said today that the Prime Minister Tony Blair was interviewed this morning as part of the inquiry.

Mr Blair was not interviewed under caution and he was not accompanied by a lawyer, his spokesman said.

Assistant Commissioner John Yates, of Scotland Yard, has said he expects to complete his inquiry next month.

He will then deliver a report to the Crown Prosecution Service, who will decide whether to prosecute any individuals in connection with the affair.