Herald interview with Samuel Forrest

Trina McLachlan claims she and you fell out over her wanting a dual-signatory requirement for withdrawals over a certain amount from the trust account. Is that right? “No, no it’s not.” What was the fallout over? “I really can’t say anything about this at the moment.” Definitely not over her wanting two signatures before bigger withdrawals could be made? “Once again I can’t comment.” I am going to report what she says. “Well, that’s okay.” You were going to set up some system of funding for Armenia. Is that still the plan? “It’s on ice . . . until we can find suitable partners. The corruption in Armenia is endemic and the one place we were hoping to donate to, we discovered the director was pocketing any funds that are being donated . . . we have already done quite a bit privately. We have made a number of donations, just not that particular one.” Privately? You mean directly to families or parents? “That’s right.” Is it correct that the trust was to pay you as primary caregiver $90,000 in the first year? “I don’t know anything about that.” How do you get funded, then? “Once again, I can’t comment on that. All I can say is that is not correct.” Was the arrangement that you were to be paid $90,000 in the first year and up to $70,000 the next year if necessary? “There is a lot of speculation, Phil.”