Four held in ‘bribery scam’ inquiry

The 45-year-old detective constable is being questioned on suspicion of providing information about Nigerian fraudster James Ibori in return for cash.

Ibori, from north London, was jailed for 13 years last month after admitting fraud totalling nearly £50m.

Two private investigators, aged 53 and 58, and another man are being held in connection with providing the money after raids at the London offices of Risc Management Ltd, it is understood.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the firm previously worked with the force.

Mike Schwarz, a partner at Bindmans LLP, told the Home Affairs Select Committee of possible cash payments made by investigation firm Risc to sources of theirs who were “presumably police officers or those close to the investigation”.

Records showed roughly half a dozen payments amounting to about £20,000 over an eight or nine-month period, Mr Schwarz claims.