‘Arab states pay for jihad’
EUROPEAN Muslims are being radicalised by groups with links to Arab governments, a report says.
Germany’s intelligence services claim the organisations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar bankroll hard-line mosques and schools.
The report is said to identify “close links to government positions”. APPRENTICE finalist Courtney Wood has revealed how he had to sell all his belongings and move back in with his parents to make it in business.
The entrepreneur, who owns a novelty toy company, goes head to head with Alana Spencer in tonight’s The Apprentice final for Lord Alan Sugar’s £250,000 investment.
Alana too has spoken about coming from a working- class family and having to fight for success.
She told how she was brought up by her mum and grandmother, and said an inheritance from her greatgrandfather funded her bakery business on the side of the family home.
Courtney, 29, from Essex, said: “I don’t come from a rich family, we’re just normal, working class. I’ve always wanted to run my own company. Four years ago I decided I’d do it. I saved up enough money.
“I invested everything I had in it. I sold my car, my bike, my phone, my PlayStation. I was lucky that I could move back in with my parents so I didn’t have to pay rent.”
Alana, 24, the youngest contestant in this year’s series, said: “My family were hippy travellers. It was quite shortlived. My mum got pregnant with me. She moved back in with my gran. So I was brought up by my mother and gran.
“My mum and dad got back together when I was 10. My greatgrandad left some money to my dad. With that we were able to build the premises to the side of my parents’ house.
“Without that, the business wouldn’t be where it is now. My family have been a massive driving force and an inspiration.”
Courtney – who has been romantically linked to Apprentice rival Jessica Cunningham – said both he and Alana hold the same qualities as Lord Sugar.
“He is awe-inspiring,” he said. “He’s one of Britain’s most successful businessmen. You treat him with a great amount of r respect. He’s worked hard to achieve what he has done.
“He hasn’t had hand-medowns or money. He’s built it all himself.
“Me and Alana are from similar backgrounds and w we’ve worked hard to get our businesses off the ground. With Lord Sugar’s investment, it could take t them to the next level.”
Wales-born Alana said t the money would change h her life. “It would enable me t to take my company from a successful small business to a large company,” she said. “It’s not just the money that’s important, it’s everything that comes with winning. To have Lord Sugar on my team would mean everything to me.”
Courtney admitted that the fame that has come with his appearance on the BBC show had been “strange”. He said: “I remember being in Sainsbury’s and people were just staring at me. That was weird”.
Alana said: “People started off by telling me, well done for giving the show a go. Now they’re telling me I could win it.”
To have Lord Sugar on my team would mean everything ALANA SPENCER ON HER AMBITION TO WIN PRIZE