British Royal Cought Offering To Sell Access To Vladimir Putin: Report

 

The defamatory allegations come at a time of disastrous relations between London and Moscow, especially after the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian spy in England.
London, United Kingdom:

Queen Elizabeth's cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, has been arrested for allowing investors to enter the Kremlin for personal gain, according to a Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigation.

The defamatory allegations come at a time of disastrous relations between London and Moscow, especially after the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian spy in England.

Prince Michael told undercover reporters acting as investors from South Korea at a rally that said 10,500 pounds (11,500 euros) a day could make "secret" submissions to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Channel 4 Dispatches program and the weekly newspaper have set up a South Korean gold company - House of Haedong.

The official said he could give the company royal permission for a $ 200,000 (164,000 euro) audio recording, with his Kensington Palace home as a background.

In a recording with secret journalists, his business partner Lord Reading called the prince "Russia's Independent Ambassador".

"I think ... this is kind of a bit of a misunderstanding, we're talking smart here," he said.

"Because we wouldn't want the world to know you see Putin just for business reasons, if you follow me."

The study used an event at Kensington Palace in 2013, where the prince was a guest, to sell access to Putin, investigators said.

The event also provided an opportunity to meet personally with the Russian leader in the future.

Prince Michael's office told the British Press Association that it has no special relationship with Putin and "does not earn public funds and earns a living through a consulting firm that has worked for more than 40 years.

"They last met in June 2003 and Prince Michael has not contacted him or his office since.

"Lord Reading is a good friend, who by trying to help, made suggestions that Prince Michael would not want, or be able to fulfill."

Reading admitted error. "I made a mistake and I promised too much and for that, I am very sorry," he said.

The 78-year-old was adorned with the Russian Order of Friendship in 2009 when Putin was prime minister.

"Royals for Hire" airs Monday on Channel 4