Archer 'missing millions' claim is investigated

Scotland Yard is investigating allegations that millions of pounds are missing from a fundraising campaign run by Lord Archer for Kurdish refugees.

Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Nicholson said earlier this week she would be lodging a complaint about the £57 million Archer claimed was collected for Kurds in Iraq by the 1991 Simple Truth campaign.

Baroness Nicholson, who defected from the Tories in 1995, claimed "practically nothing" had reached the Kurdish people.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We can confirm that the commissioner received a letter from Baroness Nicholson today.

"The Metropolitan Police Service is carrying out a preliminary assessment of the facts."

The spokesman added: "A decision will be made in due course as to whether future action may or may not be appropriate."

Baroness Nicholson said earlier: "This is a matter that has been long-running for me and I am delighted that it is possible to get the spotlight on it, because I think the Kurds have been treated very badly."

The appeal by Archer, who was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice at the Old Bailey last Thursday, centred on a high-profile charity concert staged at Wembley Arena in London.

Attracting support from singers Chris de Burgh, Paul Simon and Sting, it was watched by a worldwide television audience of 50 million.

John Major, the Prime Minister at the time, pledged £10 million for the Kurds from the Government.