Last modified on Tue 22 Dec 2020 23.37 EST
Boris Johnson has been accused of cronyism after he gave a peerage to a former Conservative party co-treasurer in defiance of advice from the Lords Appointments Commission.
Peter Cruddas, a businessman, philanthropist and Tory donor, was one of 16 people on a list of newly created political peerages – seven Conservative, five Labour, and four crossbench.
In a highly unusual move, Downing Street published the list alongside an open letter from Johnson to Paul Bew, the chair of the commission, explaining why he was putting Cruddas in the upper house without its approval.
Cruddas resigned as Conservative co-treasurer in 2012 after the Sunday Times claimed he was offering access to the prime minister for up to £250,000. A year later Cruddas won £180,000 in damages in a libel action, although that was subsequently reduced to £50,000 after aspects of the original allegations were upheld when the paper appealed.
SHARE
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing fresh accusations of cronyism after he appointed a long-time donor to his Conservative party as a life peer, despite concerns from watchdogs and senior UK officials.
On Tuesday, Mr Johnson appointed 16 new peers to the House of Lords, the upper chamber of UK parliament.
Among them was banker Peter Cruddas, who is worth a reported £860 million ($1.14 billion) and is a long-time Conservative donor who has given the party more than £3.5m.
The Appointments Commission advised against appointing Mr Cruddas, known as ‘the City of London’s richest man’.
In a letter to commission chairman Lord Bew, Mr Johnson rejected the concerns raised about the banker.