BBC - Headteacher held in honours probe: Former government adviser Des Smith has been arrested as part of a police probe into cash-for-honors allegations. Mr Smith, a secondary school head, was a council member of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, which helps the government recruit sponsors. He was arrested in the London borough of Redbridge for an offence under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act of 1925, police said. He is currently in custody in a London police station.

How interesting...

The Times - Revealed: cash for honours scandal (15 January 2006): Private donors to Tony Blair's controversial city academies can obtain honours and peerages by sponsoring the schools, a senior adviser to the programme has revealed. Des Smith, a council member of the trust that helps recruit sponsors for academies, disclosed that if a donor gave sufficient money, he could be nominated for an OBE, CBE or even a knighthood.

Sunday Herald - Greed and lack of any sense of propriety will be Blair's final undoing (19 March 2006): Earlier this year, The Sunday Times revealed that Des Smith of the Specialist Schools Trust was telling businessmen that they would get honours "for certain" if they funded a city academy. At the centre of this financial network was Tony's tennis partner, Lord Levy, the self-made businessman who brought you the pop groups Dollar and Bad Manners. His nickname, "Mr Cashpoint", tells you all you need to know.

Guy Fawkes - Trusts and Convictions (24 March 2005): Des Smith's admission is prima facie evidence of what we all know. If you wanted a peerage, a seven-figure loan to the Labour party and the same again donated to a city academy obtained it. Levy induced it. He covertly procured the money for the Labour party. The public donations were the cover story.

UPDATE - Guy Fawkes - Will Blair's Sleaze-Master General Be Next?: The Sleaze Master General himself will be worried that his former minion, Des Smith, is helping police with their inquiries. Des Smith, a secondary headteacher who was also a council member of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) which was the camouflage operation under which peerages were doled out to the Labour party's secret lenders. The president of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust is Lord Levy. That perp walk is getting nearer...

Apropos of Nothing I:

Norman Baker (Lewes, Liberal Democrat):

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what (a) allowances, (b) expenses and (c) other moneys from public funds have been paid to Lord Levy in connection with his role as president of the Specialist and Academy Schools Trust.

Jacqui Smith (Minister of State (Schools and 14-19 Learners), Department for Education and Skills):

Lord Levy does not receive any public funds in connection with his role as president of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. His appointment is a matter for the trust and he receives no remuneration for this.

Apropos of Nothing II:

Homer: Hey, what does this job pay?
Carl: Nothin'.
Homer: D'oh!
Carl: Unless you're crooked.
Homer: Woo-hoo!