Sir Malcolm referred to Commissioner for Standards

A Downing Street source said Sir Malcolm Rifkind "has referred himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards" over claims that he was secretly filmed offering to use his position of influence in exchange for cash. He has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

Sir Malcolm, who chairs the parliamentary committee which oversees Britain's intelligence agencies, was said to have claimed that he could arrange "useful access" to every British ambassador in the world because of his status.

Sir Malcolm was also alleged to have suggested that he would be willing to write to ministers on behalf of the company without declaring the name of the firm.

During the meetings, Sir Malcolm is said to have described himself as being "self-employed", saying "nobody pays me a salary". He is said to have discussed his usual fee for his services as being "somewhere in the region of £5,000 to £8,000" for a half a day's work.

In response to the allegation Sir Malcolm told the programme: "I have never undertaken nor would undertake any lobbying as an MP on behalf of any private organisation for which I was receiving remuneration. You suggest that I showed myself as 'willing to act as an MP for hire'. That is untrue.