When The National was put ‘on legal notice’ over Einstein claim

BARONESS Michelle Mone is back in the headlines again after a car-crash interview in which she insisted she has not “done anything wrong” despite repeatedly lying about her involvement with a firm at the centre of cronyism claims.

During the pandemic, PPE Medpro was awarded lucrative government contracts for PPE which are alleged to be unusable. PPE Medpro denies this and is currently locked in a legal battle with the government.

But Mone is no stranger to legal battles and journalists who have dealt with her over the years know she is keen on threatening lawsuits at the drop of a hat. So today, The National is publishing our utterly bizarre exchange of emails with Mone when we revealed she believed that Albert Einstein not only lived in Glasgow but in her home.

Journalist: “Hi there, I hope you’re well. I was wondering if you might be able to help me out with a story I am writing about Michelle Mone’s Hello TV home tour from 2013, in which she said physicist Albert Einstein lived in her home.

“It appears that is incorrect – Einstein was hosted when he visited Glasgow by Archibald Young, professor of surgery, who lived at 5 Park Gardens (see attached). Michelle Mone lived at 6 Park Circus before she left Glasgow in 2015. Can you please clarify why Michelle Mone believed Albert Einstein had once lived in her home? Any help with this is massively appreciated.”

The private office of Baroness Michelle Mone OBE (TPOBMMO): “What a pathetic enquiry! Baroness Mone was told this by the developer. See press link below [about famous people visiting Glasgow]. If anything is printed that defames the character of Baroness Mone OBE, she will take legal action.”

Journalist: “Hi – so you’ve no evidence? She specifically claims in the video Einstein lived in the same house. You’ve provided no evidence that is the case. He visited Glasgow and was hosted by Archibald Young – who lived in a house around 350 yards away (see previous email).

“I will need to note in the article that you called our enquiry ‘pathetic’ and provided no evidence to back up your claims (which we have good reason to believe are wrong).

“Please send over any evidence you have within the hour, before the article goes live. If you’ve any problems with any of this, don’t hesitate to give me a call. Also can I check is Michelle still absenting herself from the Lords over the PPE allegations?”

TPOBMMO: “Read what I have said. The developer sold the home to Baroness Mone! What a pathetic enquiry! Baroness Mone was told this by the developer. See press link below [same links to Glasgow Live articles about famous people who have visited Glasgow] If anything is printed that defames the character of Baroness Mone OBE, she will take legal action.”

Journalist: “Unfortunately, her being told this by an estate agent doesn’t count as proof. It certainly tests credulity given that Einstein is not typically thought of as a notable past resident of Glasgow.

“As I said, if you’ve any evidence (perhaps an electoral roll for Glasgow listing Einstein at that address?) please send it over before the story goes live at 5pm. Any help with this hugely appreciated.”

TPOBMMO: “Funny how your deadline has come forward by 1 hour. The statement that you will include in your article is as follows: ‘In reply to your pathetic enquiry, Baroness Mone was informed by the developer that Einstein stayed in Park Circus. There are many press articles that back up these claims’.

Journalist: “Park Circus refers to an area and a street – can you please clarify which you mean. Deadlines move, I’m afraid.”

TPOBMMO: “Baroness Mone was asked by Hello Magazine the history of “Park Circus” ie who lived/ stayed in the area since 1851. It is a fact that Einstein did stay in Park Circus. This is harassment, you are trying to twist this story. No more emails on this subject from this office.”

Journalist: “It is a fact he stayed there – that’s not what Michelle said. She said he lived there. An assertion for which you can provide any evidence.”

TPOBMMO: “Incorrect! Read what we have said. This is an Edited down video. Hello magazine question was ‘what is the history of the Park Circus area since 1871’ Baroness Mones replied ‘Einstein lived here as well’ meaning he lived / stayed in the Park Circus area. This is a fact, read the press articles that I have sent you. She never once said that he actually lived in her home!

Journalist: “In the clip – which is clearly not edited at this point – she says: ‘It [the house] was built in 1871, it’s a Victorian townhouse and Einstein lived here as well.’”

TPOBMMO: “You & your publication are on legal notice. You are 100% incorrect and you haven’t heard the question that was asked! Read what we have said. This is an Edited down video. Hello magazine question was ‘what is the history of the Park Circus area since 1871’ Baroness Mones reply “Einstein lived here as well” meaning he lived/ stayed in the Park Circus area.

“This is a fact, read the press articles I have sent you. She never once said that he actually lived in her home! If anything is printed that defames the character of Baroness Mone OBE, she will take legal action.”

That’s where we left things. At time of going to print, the National remains unsued by Baroness Mone.