The health secretary, Patricia Hewitt, yesterday became the first member of the cabinet to be interviewed by police in connection with the cash-for-honours investigation. She was questioned as a witness, not a suspect, and was not cautioned, her staff later confirmed. "The meeting was fairly brief and she answered whatever questions were put to her," said one member of her staff. Ms Hewitt was linked to the affair when it was claimed she might have been instrumental in promoting the claims of curry tycoon Sir Gulam Noon to a peerage. She has denied the suggestion.

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