March 16: Labour Treasurer Jack Dromey says he has been “kept in the dark” over undeclared loans. Blair promises to change party funding rules in a bid to quell the growing row.

March 17:>Labour party says it has received $14 million ($25 million) in previously undeclared loans from individuals.

March 21$>Police say they are investigating the Labour party to find out whether it offered lordships to businessmen in exchange for loans. They say they have received three complaints about Labour under section 1 of the Honours Act 1925, which makes it illegal to sell state honours.

April 1<$>Des Smith, a former adviser on Blair’s flagship schools programme, is arrested in connection with the inquiry. He is released on bail pending further inquiries.

July 12: Lord Levy, Labour’s chief fundraiser, is arres.

July 14: It is reported that two government ministers have been questioned by police. Neither science minister Lord Sainsbury nor trade minister Ian McCartney were said to have been cautioned before questioning.

September: <$>Christopher Evans, founder of biotechnology company Merlin Biosciences, becomes the third person arrested. All three were released on bail without charge and deny wrongdoing.

Octobe3: <$>Police question Michael Howard, former leader of the opposition Conservatives, about the scandal.

November 16: Police say they hope to send evidence to prosecutors in January. They say they have interviewed 90 people and have obtained “significant and valuable” maial.

November 22: Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt becomes the first serving member of the cabinet to be questioned, as a witness not a suspect.

December 14: Blair becomes the first prime minister since Lloyd George in the 1920s to be interviewed by police in a cash-for-honours probe.