Cameron faces demands for cash-for-access probe

British prime minister David Cameron yesterday faced demands for an inquiry into “cash for access” allegations after he confirmed he had hosted wealthy individuals at Downing Street and Chequers who between them donated millions of pounds to the Conservative Party.

The Tories released a list of 12 donors who were invited to four dinners in Downing Street since Cameron’s election in 2010. A second list of five donors invited for lunches at the PM’s country residence Chequers was released later.

Cameron had come under intense pressure after former Tory co-treasurer Peter Cruddas was caught on film telling undercover reporters that “premier league” gifts could secure meetings with ministers and influence policy. He denied Cruddas’s claims that big donors’ concerns were fed into a policy committee at Downing Street, and insisted none of those who dined with him had been recommended by the former treasurer – who quit his post on Saturday, hours after the Sunday Times revealed his comments.