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Scotland Yard is probing allegations that anti-corruption detectives pocketed bribes worth up to 20,000 from private investigators.
The officers are accused of taking the money for information about a highly-sensitive inquiry into a politician who defrauded a Nigerian state of more than 150million.
A lawyer told MPs at a Parliamentary inquiry into the work of private investigators that he had evidence of substantial cash payments made over nine months.
New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police, where a probe has been launched into claims anti-corruption police took bribes
Mike Schwarz said invoices from a law firm reveal an undetected case of 'apparent corruption right at the heart of Scotland Yard.'
He accused a handful of senior officers responsible for orchestrating the inquiry of also leaking information for cash.
If true, the incendiary allegations would ignite a fresh scandal at the London force which remains embroiled in a damaging race row.
And they would raise serious questions about links between police and private investigators who want to obtain information to undermine the criminal justice system.
The claims centre on a wide-ranging and complex inquiry into the James Ibori, the former governor of Nigeria's Delta State.
He was jailed for 13 years last month after admitting he embezzled huge sums to fund a lavish international lifestyle for his family.
Keith Vaz MP has said there is growing concern that some private investigators are operating in 'the shadows' of the law
Documents passed to the Commons home affairs committee, and seen by the Daily Mail, appear to show payments were made in return for police information.
They include a series of detailed invoices from a London law firm and leading private investigation company RISC Management, which is run by former Scotland Yard detective Keith Hunter.
The paperwork indicates that both companies were hired to work for Ibori in 2007 after he discovered he was being investigated for fraud.
Yesterday, Mr Schwarz, who represents one of Ibori's co-defendants, said the invoices document payments to 'sources', presumably police officers close to the inquiry.
He added: 'The records show about half a dozen payments totalling about 20,000 over a period of eight or nine months... it appears to be inappropriate if not corrupt.'
One invoice includes a charge for 5,000 with the note: 'Engaged with source in eliciting information re: forthcoming interview strategy to [be] deployed by police.'
Mr Schwarz said he has also seen emails which confirmed contact had been made between the private investigators and detectives.
The allegations have been circulating since last year but only surfaced in public yesterday after Mr Schwarz used Parliamentary privilege to make them.
His client is Bhadresh Gohil, a London-based solicitor jailed for orchestrating Ibori's vast money-laundering operation.
The Met has briefed reporters that there is evidence that casts doubt on the credibility of the evidence against the officers.
But following the intervention of Mr Schwarz sources said an investigation into them is being taken more seriously.
Keith Vaz, who chairs the home affairs committee, has said there is growing concern that some private investigators are operating in 'the shadows' of the law.
The latest inquiry comes in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal and is scrutinising links between private investigators, who include retired police officers, and former colleagues.
RISC Management denied all the allegations about the company. Mr Hunter said: 'We pride ourselves on our ability to provide positive solutions and accurate information legitimately.'
A Met spokesman said: 'The Met is investigating an allegation that illegal payments were made to police officers for information by a private investigation agency.
'The Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission in October 2011 which agreed to supervise a DPS investigation into the allegations.'
There should be a film made about the MET, its title 'Carry on Corrupting'. You couldn't make it up, to quote RL.
- Gordon, Thailand, 23/5/2012 04:18
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