Police block BBC's email scoop

LONDON - Detectives in charge of the cash-for-honours investigation have blocked the BBC from revealing details of an allegedly incriminating email.

The email is thought to explain why police switched their attention from the alleged sale of honours to claims of a subsequent cover-up.

Senior BBC sources said the broadcaster would not seek to overturn an injunction imposed on Saturday after an application by the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, who said releasing details of the communication would harm the inquiry.

The injunction suggests the police are about to send their final files - with a recommendation about whether to prosecute - to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The cash-for-honours inquiry was sparked after it was revealed that Prime Minister Tony Blair had nominated party donors for peerages.

It subsequently emerged that four had also secretly lent the party millions of pounds.

- INDEPENDENT