The Daily Mail in the UK is reporting that a police file sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recommends that three associates of Blair involved in the "cash for honours" affair should be charged.
The three are a major fundraiser, Lord Levy (AKA Lord Cashpoint for his abilities to get cash for Labour Party campaigns); a Downing Street aide, Ruth Turner and a millionaire donor to the party Sir Christopher Evans.
This marks the end of the 13 month police investigation into a complaint that the Labour Party had been getting contributions in exchange for places in the House of Lords. It will now be up to the CPS to examine the police file to decide whether charges should be brought and if so, which. They could relate to the original allegation or to suggestions that there was an attempted obstruction of the investigations.
Let's make it clear, the very fact that the police have referred the file means that they believe their is enough evidence to charge. The CPS will decide whether there is sufficient evidence for a prosecution to stand a good chance of succeeding. If, as is very unlikely, the report merely says that the police do not consider there have been offenses, that will be reported within the next few working days. Any longer and the recommendation of the police is to charge.
Consideration could take weeks or even months. It is quite likely that the decision will be reached around the time Blair leaves office, about 10 weeks from now.
With the Blair administration stumbling from one crisis to another, the last days of his premiership are not looking good for his "legacy". Defeat looks almost certain in the May elections where Labour will probably lose its overall majority in the Welsh Assembly and its position as largest party in the Scottish Parliament.