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.

“None of these dinners were fundraising dinners and none of these dinners were paid for by the taxpayer. I have known most of those attending for many years,” said Cameron.

He announced that Tory peer Lord Gold would conduct a party inquiry into the affair, and added that the party would in future release quarterly registers of significant donors invited to eat with him, as well as lists of those attending “Leader’s Group” dinners for donors who give more than £50,000 (€60,000).

Labour leader Ed Miliband dismissed the Gold inquiry as “a whitewash” and called for an independent probe by Cameron’s official adviser on ministerial interests, Sir Alex Allan.

“This scandal speaks to the conduct and character of this prime minister and his Government,” Miliband said. “Anything short of an independent inquiry will leave a permanent stain on the reputation of this Government.”

The 12 dinner-party guests at Downing Street had between them given almost £18m to the Conservatives since Cameron became leader, he said. And in a reference to last week’s announcement of a cut from 50p to 45p in the top rate of income tax on earnings over £150,000, he added: “I bet they did alright out of last week’s budget.”

Miliband accused the prime minister of showing “utter contempt” by failing to attend the House to address MPs about the affair, instead sending Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude.

Maude was almost drowned out by jeers of “Where’s Cameron?” as he delivered a statement to MPs just hours after he had dismissed the Cruddas allegations as “a bit of a nonsense” in a radio interview.

Miliband took the opportunity of angerover donations and the angry response to last week’s budget to rally Labour troops.

In an impromptu behind-closed-doors address to MPs and peers, a spokesman said Miliband told them it had been a “politically significant week”.

“It shows the battle in politics is who is for the few and who is for the many.”

News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch, whose own meetings with politicians have come under intense scrutiny as a result of the News of the World hacking scandal, backed calls for an independent inquiry into the “cash for access” affair.

On Twitter, he said: “Of course there must be a full independent inquiry on both sides. In great detail, and with consequences.”