Eco-millionaire refuses to invest in firm over links to PM’s father
A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE green energy businessman refused to invest in an eco-friendly version of Netflix because the project was backed by Stanley Johnson, the Prime Minister’s father.
Dale Vince turned down the chance to work with Ecostreamz, an online streaming platform for environmental filmmakers, because he felt its honorary ambassador had been “dishonest” about his lockdown trip to Greece.
The 79-year-old was criticised earlier this month for the trip to his holiday home in Greece. He was recently appointed honorary ambassador to Ecostreamz, which is a subscriptionbased online channel.
The industrialist, who Ecotricity, also questioned Johnson’s “eco-credentials”.
In documents seen by
Telegraph, Mr Vince, 58, was invited to help “shape” the company, set up by the British conservationist and tropical field biologist Ian Redmond, by investing £100,000.
At first Mr Dale, who launched the UK’s first green electricity company, said the scheme appeared “interesting”.
When it was suggested Mr Johnson could help boost the scheme, Mr Vince replied: “Stanley Johnson …? Is he like a draw?” He later said: “Lots I don’t know about Stanley Johnson. But I did see him flout travel restrictions to have a holiday in Greece and give what appears a dishonest explanation for that.”
Earlier this month, Mr Johnson apparently breached Government guidelines by travelling to Greece to “Covid-proof ” his £2,100 a week villa.
He claimed his trip at the height of lockdown was “essential business”, despite there being no rules in Greece compelling landlords to “Covid-proof ” homes for letting. The leaked documents show Mr Vince concluded: “Greece doesn’t have Covid guidelines for holiday homes. That’s problematic.”
Last night, Mr Vince stood by his comments, adding that Ecostreamz was “pimping” Mr Johnson out to encourage investment. He said: “It’s ironic to me that in rejecting this company I discover that it’s not just Mr Johnson who apparently can’t be trusted.” He questioned whether Ecostreamz could be. “The Greece trip crystallised my decision. Someone leaked that private discussion and that was enough for me.”
Mr Redmond, 66, said he was disappointed Mr Vince had pulled out, adding he rejected any suggestion his company was responsible for leaking any documents or that it could not be trusted. “Our hashtag is ‘Truth Empowered’. The company has been set up for public good …. The whole point is about telling the truth.”
Asked about Mr Vince’s decision not to invest, Stanley Johnson said: “I’m extremely sorry Mr Vince takes that view because I do think Ecostreamz is a good initiative. I’m sorry he used my link to the company not to invest, but I hope he will reconsider.”