Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Prince ‘offers access to Kremlin for cash’
Royal ‘could open door to Putin regime for £10k a day’
PRINCE Michael of Kent has been accused of trying to sell privileged access to Vladimir Putin following an undercover investigation.
The Queen’s cousin told of his links to Russia in a virtual meeting with reporters posing as South Korean investors.
He allegedly agreed to give his royal endorsement to a firm for £140,000.
When asked if it would be possible to say that “as a royal member” he would support the firm’s approach, he said: “I am sure it would be.”
He added that he was happy to use his home in Kensington Palace as a backdrop to impress investors.
His friend and business partner the Marquess of Reading then claimed the prince could be hired to make representations to Putin’s regime for £10,000 a day.
Investigators from Channel 4 Dispatches and the Sunday
Times set up a fake gold
FRIEND Lord Reading company called House of Haedong and approached five members of the Royal Family with an offer of a role.
Lord Reading said Michael could take advantage of his role as “Her Majesty’s unofficial ambassador to Russia” to gain access to the “Putinistas”. In a recorded meeting with the undercover reporters, he said: “If he [Prince Michael] is representing the House of Haedong, he could mention that to Putin and
Putin would find the right person... It just opens the door.”
The prince denied any “special relationship” with Putin, whose regime is subject to sanctions over the Salisbury poisonings and state-backed cyber attacks. His office said Lord Reading “made suggestions [the prince] would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfil”. Lord Reading said: “I over-promised.”