Ruth Turner is Blair’s official Downing Street Adviser on Government Relations. There are allegations that she was deeply involved in the covert funding programme. Obviously that is crucially important if this rotten business is exposed to be an influence peddling operation.

Capita has contracts, largely with government controlled entities, worth £3 billion. Capita dominates government outsourcing with 34% of the market in administration and processing for government departments and local councils. In 2004, 52% of Capita’s revenue came from public sector outsourcing, £1.3 billion in revenue due largely to an explosion in demand for its services in line with New Labour’s controversial outsourcing policy.

Government relations is clearly of critical importance to Capita. So a £1m secret loan from the CEO to the governing party at the request of the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy is of public interest.

Guido has a lot of questions for Ruth Turner, the most important being, did she at any time have any dealings with Capita, its lobbyists or the CEO, Rod Aldridge?