British police quiz Blair aide over party funding

LONDON, Feb 21 (Reuters) British police said today they had questioned a key adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair for a second time over a political funding scandal.

The widening inquiry has cast a shadow over Blair who is preparing to step down this year after a decade in power.

Ruth Turner, director of government relations in Blair's office, was interviewed on Tuesday when she reported to a police station under the terms of her bail.

She was originally arrested and questioned on January 19 on suspicion of obstructing justice and offences under a law banning the sale of state honours.

''She returned on bail yesterday, was re-interviewed and re-bailed pending further inquiries,'' a police spokesman said.

The investigation was launched last year into claims that Blair's Labour Party and other political parties had nominated people for seats in parliament's upper house, the House of Lords, in return for party funding.

REUTERS PDM KP1619