THE Metropolitan Police could face legal action over its decision not to investigate claims that donors who give more than £3 million to the Tory Party receive peerages, campaigners announced today. 

Earlier this month it was revealed that 15 out of the last 16 Tory Party treasurers have been offered seats in the House of Lords after donating more than £3m to the party. 

In total, 22 of the party’s main financial backers have been given peerages since 2010, with one former Tory Party chairman reported to have told the Sunday Times: “Once you pay your £3m you get your peerage.”

However the Met has said there is “insufficient evidence” to investigate a claim by the SNP of a breach to the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925, which makes it illegal to donate money “as an inducement for procuring … or endeavouring to procure” a peerage. 

Shadow SNP Commons leader Pete Wishart, who originally reported the claims to the police, argues that this refusal is unlawful and is seeking to challenge the decision. 

Lawyers have written to the Met claiming that there is “significant evidence to suggest that multiple offences might have occurred,” adding that it is in the public interest to investigate the “extremely serious offences.” 

Mr Wishart said: “The very idea that a place in the House of Lords can be bought for £3 million is something that appals the people of this country and there is an expectation that this should rightly be investigated.”

The Good Law Project, which is also bringing the legal challenge, is calling on the Met to disclose the information it considered and the internal record of the refusal decision. 

If the Met fails to provide these documents, they could face a judicial review. 

The force confirmed it has received the pre-action protocol letter earlier this month and will respond in due course. 

Good Law Project director Jo Maugham said: “At the heart of the legal action is a simple ask: that Boris Johnson be subject to the same law as you and me.”

It would not be the first time police have investigated a breach under the Honours Act. 

In 2006 police made several arrests following a complaint by the SNP after it emerged four wealthy businessmen, who had lent Labour a total of £5m, were nominated for peerages by former PM Tony Blair.