Millionaire admits discussing peerage

Published on Monday 19 March 2007 00:36

A MILLIONAIRE Labour backer arrested as part of the cash-for-honours inquiry has admitted discussing a peerage with Lord Levy, the Labour fundraiser.

Sir Christopher Evans lent Labour 1 million in 2005. He was later nominated for a peerage by Downing Street.

He was arrested last year, but insists that he had done nothing wrong, and strenuously denies trying to buy a peerage.

Sir Christopher was knighted in 1999.

In a letter to shareholders in Merlin Biosciences, the venture capital company he runs, Sir Christopher conceded that he did discuss a further honour from the Labour government in meetings with Lord Levy.

He wrote: "Did we ever discuss honours and politics? Did he ever say on the countless occasions that I met him and his wife over the years that I was deserving of a future honour or I should have a political role and make a difference?

"Yes, he did. So what? Why should I be embarrassed by that fact or such comments?

"Were conversations also taking place about making donations to the party? Of course they were. Michael Levy was always talking about money, that's his job! Did he ever promise me anything in return for my donations or my loan? No. Never."