Police probe cash-for-honours deal tied to Prince Charles' charity
CTV
London police have launched an investigation into allegations that people associated with one of Prince Charles' charities offered to help a Saudi billionaire secure honors and citizenship in return for donations.
The investigation followed a series of stories in the Times of London, which reported that a longtime aide to Charles helped to secure the prince's support for a Saudi citizen to receive a knighthood and British citizenship in return for donations of as much as 1.5 million pounds (US$2 million).
The Metropolitan Police Service said Wednesday that it decided to open a formal investigation after assessing the media reports, reviewing the findings of an inquiry commissioned by the Prince's Foundation and looking at documents provided by the foundation. No one has been arrested, police said in a statement.
Charles' office, Clarence House, said there was no evidence to back up the claims.
"The Prince of Wales had no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours or British citizenship on the basis of donation to his charities," Clarence House said.
