British police announced on Wednesday that they were opening an investigation into suspicions about donations to the Prince Charles Foundation, which would have been rewarded with honorary titles and used to support a request for naturalization by a Saudi businessman.
No arrests
“The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into allegations of breaches under the Honors (Prevention of Abuse) Act 1925,” Scotland Yard said in a statement, saying there had been no complaints. arrests.
Police said they opened an investigation after reviewing a letter received in September 2021.
Investigators contacted “those suspected of having relevant information” and liaised with the Prince’s Foundation which “provided a number of relevant documents”.
Revealed last year, this case had splashed the heir to the throne.
His former assistant valet, Michael Fawcett, is suspected of having used his influence to help Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, a generous donor to charities linked to the British monarchy, obtain a decoration.
According to Sunday Times, Mr Mahfouz, 51, was made Commander of the British Empire by Prince Charles in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace in November 2016, an event which had not been published in the official list of royal engagements . Benefiting from such a distinction made it possible to support the request for British nationality of the Saudi, according to the newspaper. Mr. Mahfouz, who denies any wrongdoing, is said to have donated large sums of money to restoration projects. Michael Fawcett resigned in November 2021.
At the same time, the press had revealed that the foundation of Prince Charles would have agreed to receive several hundred thousand euros from a Russian donor, leading to the opening of an investigation by the independent body which regulates the activity of charitable associations. in Scotland. Foundation President Douglas Connell has resigned, while defending himself from any wrongdoing.