Scotland Yard has launched an investigation into the cash-for-honours scandal after Prince Charles’ aide was accused of promising to secure a knighthood for a Saudi donor.
Last year a letter was published from 2017, in which Michael Fawcett reportedly said he was willing to make an application to change Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz's honorary CBE to a KBE.
At the time he stood down as chief executive of The Prince's Foundation, while the charity investigated his actions.
A spokesman for Prince Charles previously insisted he knew nothing about Mr Fawcett's alleged actions.
Now the Met Police says it is to launch its own enquiry.
It said in a statement: “The Metropolitan Police Service has launched an investigation into allegations of offences under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925.
“The decision follows an assessment of a September 2021 letter. This related to media reporting alleging offers of help were made to secure honours and citizenship for a Saudi national.
“The Special Enquiry Team has conducted the assessment process which has included contacting those believed to hold relevant information.
“Officers liaised with The Prince’s Foundation about the findings of an independent investigation into fundraising practises. The Foundation provided a number of relevant documents.
“These documents were reviewed alongside existing information. The assessment determined an investigation will commence.”
They added no arrests have been made and no interviews under caution have taken place.
A spokesperson for Charles said previously: “The Prince of Wales has no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours or British citizenship on the basis of donation to his charities and fully supports the investigation now under way by The Prince’s Foundation.”
Mr Fawcett quit as Charles' personal assistant in 2003 amid accusations he was selling gifts received by royals for personal profit.
The future king called him his most indispensable aide, once quoted as saying: “I can manage without just about anyone, except for Michael."
At the time Ex-Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker wrote to the Metropolitan Police asking the force's then Commissioner, Cressida Dick, to launch a criminal probe into the scandal.
Prince Charles' representatives have been approached for comment.
