'Cash-for-policy' boast is a deep offence against democracy | Simon Jenkins

Cameron and Osborne must have been aware of what was going on – even if they were not privy to Cruddas's earthy style

The chief mystery in the latest cash-for-access scandal is how Peter Cruddas was ever appointed Tory treasurer and doorkeeper to Downing Street influence for a donation of a mere £1.2m. For a rich City dealer and one-time Monaco resident, he was an accident waiting to happen. David Cameron and George Osborne should have demanded £10m at least.

Once again the poison of ambition h...