‘Vanished’ tycoon vows to keep £3m pledge to William
ONE of the world’s richest men has vowed to back Prince William’s new £50million environmental prize – despite disappearing after criticising his country’s government.
Chinese tech billionaire Jack Ma, who promised an initial £3million to support William’s Earthshot prize, has insisted he will provide financial backing and be closely involved in selecting winners.
His pledge came in a statement issued to the Daily Express by his charitable foundation in London.
But his spokeswoman said she had no idea where he was or whether he could actually attend meetings.
Mr Ma, 56, who has a £45billion fortune, has been seen only once – in a 50second appearance in a video awards ceremony in China last month – since criticising his country’s communist government in October.
His speech attacking Chinese regulators for hampering innovation prompted Beijing to halt a world record £26billion stock market flotation of the Ant Group, the digital financial services arm of his Alibaba Group, in November.
There has been speculation he is in jail or under house arrest. And the mystery has gripped the financial world.
But his charitable foundation insisted it was business as usual for his philanthropy, including his involvement in the Earthshot prize.
It is designed to encourage technological innovation to solve the biggest environmental problems facing the world.
Miriam Forte, a spokeswoman for the foundation, said: “Mr Ma looks forward to contributing to all the upcoming activities and initiatives of the Earthshot Prize, including the judging to identify the winners.”
Kensington Palace refused to say whether Mr Ma’s £3million had been received.
But sources close to William insisted he had no concerns about the tycoon’s financial support for the project.
It is expected to dominate the future King’s official work over the next decade.
Palace officials also declined to say whether William, 38, had lobbied Chinese officials about the fate of Mr Ma.
His involvement in the Earthshot Prize along with that of Chinese basketball star Yao Ming is important for William to bring in entrants from that part of the world.
25% off your subscription
BRING the gym home with the UK’s #1 rated fitness app this February! We’ve teamed up with Fiit to offer you an exclusive deal with 30 days free to try their 600+ workouts, plus a special 25% off for readers if you carry on your subscription.
With exercises to suit all fitness levels – there is something for everyone to keep your body healthy and your mind clear. Connect with your tablet device, phone or TV to find the way that works for you.
If you’re new to fitness and just want to get moving, head to Fiit’s entry level classes for fun and low impact workouts, and with everything from Yoga Pilates to Breathwork in the Rebalance studio you can explore more exercises than ever before at home.
And if you’re eager to work up a sweat without disturbing your neighbours, Fiit have a huge selection of low impact (not low intensity) workouts like combat or HIIT classes. Fiit is also compatible with 26 smartwatch devices including Apple Watch and Fitbit, so you can measure your progress!
So don’t miss out – get moving with this incredible offer from the UK’s #1 rated fitness app.
HOW TO CLAIM
Visit www.dailyexpress. co.uk/homefitnesspromo and enter your details on the online form to get access to the exclusive promotional link which will appear on screen and your inbox
This promotional link is valid until Friday February 12, 2021 – all redemptions on the Fiit site must be made by this time Visit the URL and follow the registration prompts to claim your 30 day free trial – for any queries, email support@fiit.tv
AN ABUSED nurse’s statement to police days before she killed herself has finally put her vicious, controlling boyfriend behind bars.
Peter Yeung, 35, has been jailed for six months for a catalogue of attacks on Alex Reid.
Yeung had told Alex, 30, that no one would believe he was abusing her, Liverpool magistrates court heard.
But a week before she ended her life, the community nurse made a crucial police statement which was used by Crown prosecutors.
The Daily Express End This Injustice crusade has been campaigning for more support for domestic abuse victims and Family Court reforms.
Alex’s sister Katy said of the family’s year-long battle for justice: “We don’t want people to be scared, that was Alex’s main thing.
“She was frightened no one would believe her. At the end of the day, she has been believed.We want to encourage people who are suffering as well to just tell someone.”
Alex was found dead at her home in Anfield, Liverpool, on February 24 last year.
Yeung’s trial heard the gambling addict throttled and kicked her in two attacks January 21 and February 17.
The court heard the couple’s relationship turned “rocky” over money after they moved in together.
In her police statement, Alex accused Yeung of taking her money to spend in casinos after losing his job in a takeaway. She said she supported the couple financially for four months.
On January 21 they had a row and Alex’s statement said: “I told him to leave. He hit me against the wall and pushed me down the stairs.
“He started throwing things and booted me into the dining room table.”
on
Alex said she barricaded herself in the bathroom but Yeung kicked in the door and pulled her out by the hair.
Her statement said: “He called me a slag and said, ‘Watch what happens to you. I hate you’.” Shown pictures of her bruised body, Yeung said the injuries might have been caused by moving Alex out of the way as he tried to get to work.
Alex, who had also suffered domestic abuse in a previous relationship, split up with Yeung shortly afterwards and he relocated to Sheffield. But on February 17 he returned and attacked her, the court was told. Yeung brazenly phoned the police to say Alex was going to make up allegations and he wanted to get his version of events in first. In a 999 call played to police, Yeung shouted at Alex: “I haven’t hit you,” before she rang emergency services herself. Police did not arrive until eight hours later. Yeung denied two assaults on Alex at his trial in December but on Monday, District Judge Andrew Shaw branded him “calculating and dishonest”.
The judge told him: “Alex confided in you that she suffered abuse before. You used this against her. She was vulnerable and manipulated into believing police would not believe her.” He also gave Yeung a restraining order for five years to keep him away from Alex’s family.