Well spotted, JR. I think this is our lad's position, precisely.

Costello knows, after 12 years, how his master operates by stitching up deals behind doors. Now, he is looking for evidence that John is working away behind the scenes to knock up a raft for Peter to float across the Styx, to a well-earned life of absolute power. Gerard Henderson was on ABC radio, as part of a conflab with Fran Kelly and others, saying Howard spends a lot of time on the phone, seeking views. So, for his on peace of mind, Peter would be inquiring if anyone has been asked to fall into line for the "smooth transition". Horror of horrors! Not only is there not a nail in the platform, there are hints that John has been making and seeking assurances on behalf of other parties.

What's an honest bloke to do, then? On past performance - that one rat dudded a goose in order to sink a lame duck, 12 years ago - it's only fair to warn those who may be stitching up deals that do not include Costello in his rightful place, that the king dealmaker cannot be trusted!

But there is no inkling of a supporting arrest, only a bit of paper in someone's wallet with a few notes about an informal meeting. Isn't there a proper scandal out there? Come on! 

‘Two government ministers have been questioned by police officers in relation to the cash-for-honours investigation, it emerged yesterday.

Lord Sainsbury, the Science Minister and a major Labour Party bankroller, and Ian McCartney, the Trade Minister and former party chairman, have already been interviewed by officers from Scotland Yard.

Ahead of today's G8 summit, Tony Blair yesterday refused to answer questions over the police inquiry, while Downing Street also rebuffed queries over whether ministers had access to government lawyers.

At a press conference ahead of the G8, Mr Blair said he would not be diverted by the investigation: "I am not going to comment on those inquiries." He denied his position at the summit would be compromised, adding: "You only have to look at what is happening in the Middle East today to see what I should be concentrating on."’

Police In Cash For Honours Inquiry Question Two Government Ministers

 

 
‘Downing Street was last night plunged into panic amid claims Lord Levy had pointed the finger of suspicion at Tony Blair following his arrest over the 'cash-for-peerages' inquiry.

In an emergency summit with party chairman Hazel Blears following his arrest last week, Levy insisted he would tell everything he knew about Labour's secret loans operation, even if his revelations propelled the Prime Minister further into the spotlight.

Scotland on Sunday understands Levy's police statements will make clear Blair was central to the campaign to secure multi-million-pound loans from supporters, and that he was well aware the transactions could look politically questionable.

The party hierarchy is now terrified Levy's evidence will bolster attempts to establish a crucial link between the operation to sign up 10 secret loans worth £14m for party coffers, and the decision to nominate four of the lenders as Labour peers.’

Downing Street Panics As Levy Points Finger At Blair

He of the 45 minutes has thrown a pox over Israel's cause, with Iran and Syria to blame, says Blair: 

... Mr Blair told reporters: "Sometimes there's been a hesitation in putting the real truth of the situation up there in front of people."The fact is there are people in that region, notably Iran and Syria, who do not want this process of democratisation and peace and negotiation to succeed." ...

It must be time to hear our PM put forward his version of the truth. It could be almost identical to Blair's.

And, look, Barrie, the wailing of evacuated Lebanese Australians at our arrival lounges makes my point exactly - they should not have been letting Hizbullah buy rockets from Iran. The leaders of the free world demand that the terrorists lay down their arms and beg for mercy. And then they will inherit the kind of democracy now being enjoyed by Iraq. Who mentioned sales of arms, by the US, Russia, China, Sweden, ...? Party pooper!

 

“The [whoever's] missile development, test fire, manufacture and deployment therefore serve as a key to keeping the balance of force and preserving peace and stability in [wherever],” he said.

Could have been uttered by any number, but was said by Mr Pak, in N Korea rejects Security Council vote. 

... The envoy’s remarks prompted a sharp retort from the United States ambassador, Mr John Bolton. “This has been a historic day. Not only have we unanimously adopted resolution 1695, but North Korea has set a world record in rejecting it within 45 minutes after its adoption,” Mr Bolton said. The US could exercise a right of reply to respond to Mr Pak’s comments concerning Washington, Mr Bolton said, “But on the other hand, why bother.” ...

Arrogance? Hubris? I nominate John Bolton to stop the warfare in the Middle East.

 

From our ABC

Aust consults Israel on Lebanon evacuation
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says the Federal Government is negotiating with Israel about the best way to evacuate Australians stuck in Lebanon.

He says there are between 4,000 and 5,000 Australians registered with the embassy in Lebanon, and those who are most desperate to leave will be evacuated first.

The Minister says the Government is considering hiring three buses to transport Australians to Syria, and may also charter a boat.

Mr Downer says a small number of Australians could be evacuated from Lebanon soon.

But he has warned it could be safer not to move the Australians.

"So that if we do decide to implement those plans, we will have some confidence of the situation being a little more secure than it might otherwise might be if we made a random rush for the border or just brought a ship into a port, which was likely to be shelved - I mean that is clearly completely stupid to do that," he said.

----------------------

Yes, Alex, it is stoopid to shelve a port in Lebanon as it is to shell it with a few bombs...

And as far as John Bolton is concerned, he is paid to bother... his "why bother" attitude is elevating the US rubbish to new heights...

International diplomacy is led by intellectual deficient midgets equipped with megatons of hubris...

Fresh from vacation in New Orleans, Florida, Doug leapt at the offer of acting as general factotum for Australia's Lebanese community.

A practised hand at garnering media grabs, Doug has organised the entire community to take turns at occupying the arrivals lounge at Sydney Airport. "Leave no-one at home," he urged, "bring out your newborn babies and bedridden elderly. Prams, wheelchairs and walking frames help to fill up the front pages."

Doug is tutoring the young women how to hyperventilate with anxiety, and to fall in a slump without injuring themselves. The young men have their 3G phones, and will be able to keep small groups enthralled with the latest 'Crrrrrump' from an Israeli bomb, and capture the woeful wails of trapped relatives. The opportunities for global broadcast of escalating mass hysteria are amazing, and Doug wants to be in command. Doug has organised teams of medics to be on standby, even though Doug himself is experienced in first-aid, from his tender ministrations to fellow captives during that interlude as hostage in Iraq.

Doug emphasises the need for coordination. A frightfully good clutching at the hair and clothes, with piercing screams, does not want to overshadow the quiet collapse in the background. There will be plenty of time to give everyone a go in front of the microphones. One slight problem could be the restricted vocabulary, and shallow repertoire. And Doug advises against the natural tendency for all the able-bodied men to thrust and shout "Call an ambulance", "Get a doctor", at the same time. Doug has, however, ordered a small supply of stage blood, in case proceedings slow down, and an injection of dramatic effect is required.

Doug is accompanied by a little friend. He had hoped for some photo-op with the PM, but General John has garrisoned himself in the radio talkback cubicle. The loyal deputy has disappeared into the stratospheric heights of Collins Street, leaving behind a trail of woebegotten heartrending sobs of abandonment. So, Doug brought along his loyal pal, the drover's dog.

Everyone is taken care of, including Lex, who is driving a bus somewhere on the road to Damascus.

From the Guardian

Blair defends Lords nominations for Labour donors

· PM says no one in party has broken rules
· No 10 denies Cherie Blair had role in NHS meeting

Tania Branigan and Vikram Dodd
Monday July 17, 2006
The Guardian

Tony Blair yesterday acknowledged that donations could be linked to peerages but insisted nobody in the Labour party had broken the rules on fundraising or nominations for honours.
He argued that people who helped "pay [a party's] bills" should be able to serve in the Lords because many places were reserved for party supporters.

Mr Blair's remarks came after a week that saw the loans-for-peerages row escalate with the arrest of Lord Levy, Labour's chief fundraiser. Police began investigating after the House of Lords appointments commission blocked four of Mr Blair's nominations for working peerages because the men had made undisclosed loans to Labour.

-------------

Beautiful says Gus. As long as Blair admits to the cash for titles, and can claim it is within the rules of whatever, then it's all okay and we can go back to sleep... Too easy.

From The Independent

PM insists no one in his party sold honours
By Andy McSmith and Andrew Grice
Published: 17 July 2006
Tony Blair has claimed that no one in the Labour Party has sold honours or peerages, and insisted there is nothing wrong with giving a seat in the House of Lords to someone who has donated money to a political party.

Fresh questions were raised last night about the role of Lord Levy, Tony Blair's chief fundraiser, in the honours system after it emerged that his former secretary was made an MBE in 2002 for services to charity.

Norman Lamb, a Liberal Democrat MP, is to take up the issue of her award with the Cabinet Office after Channel 4 News reported that Jean Cobb's charitable work involved secretarial services to three charities headed by Lord Levy.

Lord Levy was arrested last week after allegations honours were granted in return for financial support to political parties. No charge has been brought.

‘British Prime Minister Tony Blair was roundly mocked as a US poodle on Tuesday after an off-the-cuff chat with President George W. Bush was accidentally broadcast.

Bush and Blair enjoyed a gossip over lunch at the Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg on Monday, unaware that a microphone in front of them was switched on and their words would be relayed around the world.

Breaking with diplomatic formalities, Bush hailed Blair, his closest European ally, with the words "Yo, Blair". His solution to the Middle East crisis was that Syria should press Hezbollah to "stop doing this shit".

The British media pored over the text of the conversation, saying it cast Blair in a subservient role and showed the unequal nature of Britain's much-vaunted "special relationship" with the United States.’

Yo Bush! Blair Mocked As US Poodle

From the New York Times

...
...But Mr. Wilkes acknowledged that he was a willing participant in what he characterized as a “cutthroat” system in which campaign contributions were a [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/06/washington/06wilkes.html?ei=5094&en=e97737aa610a7a95&hp=&ex=1154923200&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print|prerequisite for federal contracts]. “I attempted to get help and advice from people who could show me the way to do it right,” Mr. Wilkes said. “I played by their rules, and I played to win.”

‘Tony Blair's plan for a national identity card has been dealt a fresh blow by the revelation that several government officials have been sacked for breaching security around the databases on which the scheme will be based.

Unauthorised users have got around information technology defences at the Home Office's Identity and Passport Service on at least four occasions in recent years.

The IPS holds personal data about every British passport holder, including date of birth, mother's maiden name and other information that could be used by criminals.

It is understood that three IPS officials were dismissed after the database security breaches were uncovered and Home Office managers moved to contain the scandal.’

Blair's ID Card Plan Undermined By Security Breaches

‘Scotland Yard detectives investigating the "cash for peerages" scandal are looking into allegations of false accounting by senior Labour Party figures including Tony Blair.

The Electoral Commission - the public watchdog on party funding - passed the allegations to the unit led by deputy assistant commissioner John Yates. On Monday the Metropolitan Police interviewed Michael Howard, the former leader of the Conservative Party, as a potential witness.

The net was closing in on No 10 following the disclosure that police have also interviewed Jonathan Powell, the Prime Minister's chief of staff. Downing Street denied yesterday that he had been laying down the terms for Mr Blair to be interviewed, but it is expected that Scotland Yard will see the Prime Minister shortly.’

Scotland Yard Investigates Labour's 'False Accounting'

‘The Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, is among at least five senior cabinet figures to be asked for interviews by police about the allegations surrounding loans to the Labour Party.

Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, was one of the few high-profile names not to have received a letter from police, heightening speculation that detectives are preparing to interview him in person. He is believed to have consulted the solicitors he used for the Hutton inquiry, Kingsley Napley.

Ministers, including Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, and John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, were asked to submit any evidence they might have over claims that Labour's bankrollers were nominated for peerages. A source denied that either man knew anything about the loans.’

Ministers Quizzed In Cash-For-Peerages Probe

‘The long threatened interview of Tony Blair by police investigating the "cash for peerages" controversy could take place today, it was being predicted at Westminster last night.

It has been widely expected the interview would take place before Christmas, and today is being touted by many as the day most likely to have been agreed with between 10 Downing St and Scotland Yard, in order to fit in with the prime minister's schedule. Mr Blair is expected to be out of Britain, attending a European summit, for some of next weekend.

It is believed an agreement has been reached that the Prime Minister's interview will take place at Chequers, his official country retreat, and not at No 10 itself.

It would mark the first occasion in modern times that a sitting prime minister has been questioned as part of an active criminal investigation.

Police are examining claims that senior Labour figures broke the law by accepting more than £14 million in loans to the party before last year's general election. The loans were not declared at the time, and four lenders were later nominated for peerages by Mr Blair's office.’

Blair In Historic Police Probe

‘British police have questioned Prime Minister Tony Blair in an investigation into allegations that state honours were handed out in return for loans to his party.

Blair's office said he had been interviewed as a witness, not a suspect. But the meeting further tarnished the reputation of a leader whose popularity has plunged over his decision to back the US-led Iraq war, and who is due to step down in 2007.

The fact that he was not cautioned about his rights suggests officers believe he has no criminal charges to answer.

"The prime minister talked to the police today," Blair's spokesman said. "This was not under caution, nor was he accompanied by a lawyer." 

Police launched an inquiry in March into allegations by an opposition party that Blair's Labour and other political parties had nominated people for seats in parliament's upper house, the House of Lords, in exchange for party funding.’

Police Quiz Blair Over Cash For Honours

‘The cash-for-peerages drama moved beyond the door of 10 Downing Street and straight to the Prime Minister's personal "gatekeeper" yesterday after Ruth Turner, a key aide of Tony Blair, was arrested by police under suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Ms Turner, head of government relations, became the first paid official to be arrested by Scotland Yard detectives in relation to allegations that peerages and honours were traded in exchange for financial support.

Last night she denied any allegations of wrongdoing and Mr Blair issued a statement saying he had "full confidence" in his key aide, who sits yards away from his "den".

But the fact that Ms Turner was questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice will trigger speculation in Westminster that the police may be turning their attention towards the possibility of an attempt to cover up the sale of honours.’

Blair's 'Gatekeeper' Arrested Over Cash For Peerages Affair

‘Police chiefs last night publicly warned the Labour Party that "no one is above the law" as the cash-for-honours inquiry erupted into open warfare between Downing Street and the Met.

After senior Labour figures lined up to criticise the "theatrical" arrest of Tony Blair's aide Ruth Turner, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority launched an unprecedented counterattack, suggesting the party was trying to "manipulate" and "pressurise" officers.

Len Duvall - in remarks believed to reflect growing fury within Scotland Yard - urged those who had questioned the conduct of police to "reflect on what they have said".’

Downing Street Not Above Law Warn Police