Police question Blair over funding probe

LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) British police questioned Prime Minister Tony Blair for a second time in their probe into political party funding, Blair's spokesman said today.

The spokesman said the premier was questioned as a witness last Friday at his Downing Street office. He was first questioned in December.

Police are investigating whether Labour and other parties promised Lordships -- state honours that come with seats in the unelected upper house of parliament -- in return for loans.

''Last Friday the Prime Minister was briefly interviewed by police as a witness,'' the spokesman told reporters.

Blair's spokesman said that the meeting with detectives had been kept confidential until now at the request of the police.

The spokesman said Blair was not under caution during the interview which lasted under an hour. He declined to disclose any details of the meeting.

''During the course of yesterday afternoon, the police told us the requirement of confidentiality had been lifted,'' the spokesman said.

REUTERS AKJ PM1714