THE METROPOLITAN Police has confirmed it is looking at the complaint made against Boris Johnson for alleged 'cash for honours'.
SNP MP Pete Wishart wrote to the commissioner of the force yesterday, saying he was concerned about possible corruption in the awarding of peerages to Tory donors and senior figures.
Mr Wishart claims there could be breaches of the law under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925.
It comes after an investigation by the Sunday Times and openDemocracy found that almost every Conservative party treasurer in recent times, except the latest, had donated at least £3m to the party and had been ennobled.
READ MORE: SNP MP Pete Wishart asks Met for criminal probe into Boris Johnson and predecessors
Mr Wishart wrote in his letter to Dame Cressida: "Since the Conservative party returned to power in 2010, successive Prime Ministers have elevated nine of the party's former treasurers to the House of Lords.
"Each of those appointed since 2014 has donated at least £3 million. Any investigation must uncover any process or link between these donations and the subsequent appointment of these individuals to the House of Lords.
"In total, twenty two of the Conservative party's biggest financial contributors have been made members of the House of Lords in the past eleven years.
"Together they have donated some £54m to the Tories. I believe that it is only right to investigate whether these donations were, in fact, rewarded with honours."
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) confirmed it had received the letter and was now assessing its contents.
A Met Police spokesman said: "The MPS has received correspondence relating to recent media reports concerning the awarding of peerages.
"At this time, we are considering the contents of the correspondence."
The force said there was no formal investigation into the allegations at this time.
The UK Government yesterday said it was "wrong" to take aim at those who have been ennobled and who also happen to have donated to a political party.
A spokeswoman said: "Peerages reflect long-standing contributions to civic life and also a willingness to further contribute to public life as a legislator in the Second Chamber.
“It is wrong to criticise individuals being honoured just because they have also chosen to support or donate to a political party. Donations should be transparent, but that is not an excuse to knock people for broader philanthropy, enterprise and public service.
“Volunteering and supporting a political party is part of our civic democracy.
“In the UK, taxpayers do not have to bankroll political parties’ campaigning. Political parties have to raise money themselves, and follow transparency and compliance rules laid out in law.”
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