Labour has been plunged into a corruption scandal after a businessman with close ties to the party was secretly recorded demanding a £2m bribe from property developers seeking to build one of Britain’s tallest skyscrapers.

In the recording — obtained by The Sunday Times — the businessman claimed he was acting on behalf of Labour politicians who could guarantee planning permission for the proposed £500m development in the Isle of Dogs, east London.

He was introduced by Shiria Khatun, a deputy mayor of Labour- controlled Tower Hamlets council, as someone who could assist with planning.

He later sent a contract to the developers setting out the illicit deal in which he would “deliver planning approval” from Tower Hamlets at a “premium of £2,000,000”. Four Labour