Toronto ? A formal government inquiry into allegations that former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney received money from an arms dealer while still in office will begin once a parliamentary panel completes its own probe, Canada’s leader said Friday.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the announcement two days after receiving a report from David Johnston, a special adviser named to look into a scandal that has further sullied the reputation of an already unpopular conservative Mulroney.

Harper said two months ago that his government would investigate the charges, but said he wanted to wait for Johnston’s recommendations on the scope of the inquiry before formally ordering it.