It’s not bribery — it’s a payback

The new charge came as it became clear that Mr DeLay was being

investigated in a separate scandal, in which politicians are under scrutiny for doing legislative favours for a powerful lobbyist, Jack

Abramoff, in return for expensive gifts such as golfing trips to Scotland – a possible violation of federal anti-bribery laws.

Lady Thatcher’s office confirmed that it had been contacted by police to “clarify” details of a meeting the former prime minister held

with Mr DeLay in May 2000. Mr DeLay went golfing at St Andrews during the same visit, but has said he was unaware Mr Abramoff paid for

the trip, and that it was made for professional reasons, such as the meeting with the retired leader. Lady Thatcher had described the

meeting as a “courtesy call”. …

If the bribery inquiry into Mr Abramoff also reaches Mr DeLay, who once numbered the lobbyist

among his “closest and dearest friends”, the consequences for the Republicans could be even more serious.

Mr DeLay has said he

thought his British trip was paid for by a thinktank, the National Centre for Public Policy Research, of which Mr Abramoff was a board

member. But there is evidence the lobbyist reimbursed the centre for some expenses and paid others directly.

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