Labour has alleged there is a “cash for access culture” in the Tory party as it seeks to maintain pressure on Boris Johnson’s government over sleaze allegations following the Owen Paterson debacle.

The party made the claims after The Sunday Times reported that a series of donors who give £3m to the Tories and serve as the Conservative treasurer have been put forward for seats in the Lords.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has written to the body that considers nominations for peerages and argued former Cabinet minister Mr Paterson should not be granted a peerage if Downing Street recommends him from one.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sir Keir, who has been absent from Westminster during the row because he has been self-isolating with COVID-19, will use an appearance on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday to keep pressure on Mr Johnson.

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner branded Mr Johnson’s Tory party “corrupt, dodgy, sleazy and on the take” in response to the Sunday Times article.

The newspaper said that all 16 of the party’s main treasures over the last two decades, have been offered a seat in the Lords.

Lord Cruddas was the most controversial appointee, who took his seat after Mr johnson rejected the advice of the House of Lords Appointment Commission not to grant him a peerage.

COP26: Boris Johnson urges ministers and negotiators to ‘pull together’ as climate summit enters final week

Sir John Major says sleaze handling ‘shameful, wrong and unworthy of government’ – and calls PM’s actions ‘damaging’

Owen Paterson resignation: Tories face nightmare by-election surrounded by accusations of sleaze

A former party chairman told the newspaper: “The truth is the entire political establishment knows this happens and they do nothing about it… The most telling line is once you pay your £3 million, you get your peerage.”

A Conservative Party spokesperson said: “We do not believe that successful business people and philanthropists who contribute to political causes and parties should be disqualified from sitting in the legislature.”

It comes amid widespread speculation in Westminster that Mr Paterson, who resigned as an MP on Thursday as he faced suspension over “egregious” breaches of lobbying rules, could be given a peerage.

In a letter to Lord Bew, chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission, Sir Keir said if that happened it would “undermine confidence in the probity of Parliament”.

On Saturday, former prime minister Sir John Major accused Mr Johnson and his government of actions that are “damaging at home and to our reputation overseas”.

Sir John said a peerage for Mr Paterson would be “rather extraordinary”.

Related posts:

COVID roadmaps and the Budget tax debate Unite leadership hopeful pulls out in bid to find unity left-wing candidate to replace McCluskey ‘Peace or protocol?’: Loyalist protesters say the government has a choice to make Former Commons Speaker and Tory MP John Bercow joins Labour Party Brexit, borders and bedlam: The political crisis in Northern Ireland is far from over PM says it’s ‘looking good’ for 19 July – but won’t rule out further lockdowns in the winter NHS staff in England get pay rise of 3% after their contribution during ‘unprecedented year’ ‘Everybody loved him’: Constituents remember ‘compassionate’ MP after fatal stabbing MPs to be contacted by chief constables today about security concerns, Sky News understands Boris Johnson insists his plans to cut carbon will not be enforced by the ‘boiler police’ ‘Multiple failings’ in responses to claims of child sex abuse made against Lord Janner, report finds Why key part of government’s counter-terrorism strategy is under scrutiny after MP’s murder