Queen’s money deals leaked
SAUDI Arabia’s heir to the throne is overseeing an unprecedented wave of arrests of dozens of the country’s most powerful princes, military officers, influential businessmen and government ministers.
Among those caught in the anti-corruption sweep are billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the world’s richest men with many Western business interests, as well as two of the late King Abdullah’s sons.
The arrest of senior princes up-ends a longstanding tradition among the ruling Al Saud family to keep disagreements private to show strength and unity in the face of Saudi Arabia’s many tribes and factions. It also sends a message the 32-year-old crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has the full backing of his father, King Salman.
A helicopter crash near the Yemen border in Asir province killed Prince Mansur bin Muqrin and eight other officials on THE Queen has become embroiled in a leak of financial documents laying bare investments in offshore tax havens by the world’s rich and powerful.
A disclosure of 13.4 million documents, dubbed the Paradise Papers, reportedly tie major companies and political figures to secretive overseas arrangements.
Among those said to be named is US President Donald Trump’s commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, who is reportedly linked to a Russian firm.
The Duchy of Lancaster, the private estate of the Queen, was found to have millions of pounds invested in offshore arrangements.
Around $20 million from the Queen’s private fund was paid into funds in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda between 2004 and 2005, according to reports.
The Queen voluntarily pays tax on any income she receives from the Duchy.