A senior aide to Prime Minister Tony Blair has denied any wrongdoing after she was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice by detectives investigating cash-for-honours allegations.
Ruth Turner, the Downing Street director of Government relations, was questioned at a London police station before being released without charge pending further inquiries.
The fact that Ms Turner was questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice will spark speculation in Westminster that the police may be turning their attention towards the possibility of an attempt to cover up the sale of honours.
In a statement released by Number 10, Ms Turner said: "I have already given the police two lengthy interviews and made it clear to them that I was happy to speak to them again at any stage. I have been completely open with the police throughout and will continue to co-operate with them fully. I absolutely refute any allegations of wrongdoing of any nature whatsoever."
Mr Blair said he continued to have "complete confidence" in Ms Turner, who he described as "a person of the highest integrity".
As Mr Blair's "gatekeeper" - a post previously held by close allies Anji Hunter and Baroness (Sally) Morgan - Ms Turner holds a key position in Number 10, reporting direct to chief of staff Jonathan Powell and playing a role in controlling access to the PM.
She becomes the fourth person - and the first salaried Government official - to be arrested in the inquiry, after Mr Blair's personal fundraiser Lord Levy, major Labour donor Sir Christopher Evans and headteacher Des Smith.
She was previously interviewed under caution in September last year, reportedly in relation to emails uncovered by detectives during a search of Downing Street computer and paper files.
It was reported that police questions then centred on emails which appeared to have been sent to and from Ms Turner's Downing Street workstation, discussing which lenders might be placed on a list of nominees for peerages.
Read More
In a statement released by 10 Downing Street following Friday's arrest, Mr Blair said: "Ruth is a person of the highest integrity for whom I have great regard and I continue to have complete confidence in her."
