Years of allegations and inquiries into corruption left reputations of the political parties in tatters

THE “cash-for-access” row involving Conservative Party co-treasurer Peter Cruddas evokes memories of political scandals past.

Two years ago, with Labour still in power, there was a row over so-called “cash-for-influence” when three former Cabinet ministers were suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party over allegations that they were prepared to take cash to influence government policy.

Geoff Hoon, Stephen Byers and Patricia Hewitt were filmed discussing the possibility of working for what they thought was an American lobby firm.

In the middle of the decade was the “cash-for-honours” affair, which raised questions about the activities of the two biggest parties.

Alleged links between the granting of honours and financial support for parties dogged the last two years of Tony Blair’s time at No 10.

An influential group of MPs said in December 2007 that membership of the House of Lords should be decided by an independent body in a fully transparent process.

The then chairman of the public administration committee, Dr Tony Wright, said trust in public life had been damaged by the scandal.

A police inquiry had followed a complaint by SNP MP Angus MacNeil in 2006. It had been reported that millionaires who gave large donations to the Labour and Conservative parties were to be given peerages.

During the inquiry, Mr Blair became the first prime minister to be interviewed by police as part of a political corruption inquiry.

The following year, after a £1.4 million, 19-month investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that nobody would be charged, as there was no realistic prospect of a conviction.

Perhaps the most notable episode in the 1990s was the “cash-for-questions” affair, when MP Neil Hamilton was accused with fellow Conservative Tim Smith of taking cash in brown envelopes from Mohamed al-Fayed, the Harrods owner, to ask questions in the House of Commons.

Mr Smith admitted the payments and resigned immediately, but Mr Hamilton protested his innocence. He was, however, forced to resign as corporate affairs minister.