Prince Michael of Kent accused of advertising access to Vladimir Putin | British isles Information

Prince Michael of Kent has been accused of staying prepared to use his royal standing for particular gain, and to search for favours from Russian President Vladimir Putin, following an undercover investigation.

Undercover reporters, posing as investors from a South Korean organization, had been advised the Queen‘s cousin could be hired for £10,000 a working day to make “confidential” representations to Mr Putin’s routine.

Channel 4’s Dispatches programme, in collaboration with The Sunday Situations, set up a phony South Korean gold business identified as Household of Haedong and approached 5 members of the Royal Family members with an provide of operate.

Dispatches and The Sunday Times mentioned Prince Michael of Kent responded, expressing an interest in doing the job with the business, telling undercover reporters that he would give Household of Haedong his royal endorsement in a recorded speech for a $200,000 cost and would make it possible for the use of his residence in Kensington Palace as a backdrop.

Prince Michael usually takes no revenue from the civil list and earns a residing as chairman of his own personal firm, which presents suggestions on a consultancy foundation.

In addition, he was questioned irrespective of whether he would be willing to assistance the phony gold enterprise in Russia.

Dispatches said, in 2013 the prince’s organization spouse Lord Simon Examining experienced tried to offer accessibility to Mr Putin at an function at Kensington Palace, at which Prince Michael was a visitor.

The event, endorsing the Russian wrestling sport of Sambo, also supplied the probability to satisfy the Russian president in particular person at a later date, according to Dispatches.

In a recorded meeting with the undercover reporters, Lord Reading mentioned: “If he (Prince Michael) is representing the Household of Haedong, he could point out that to Putin and Putin would discover the proper particular person who is intrigued in South Korea or fascinated in gold.

“It just opens the door, you know, which is so beneficial.”

He also informed the reporters: “I imagine, if I can say this, this is variety of a bit discreet, we are conversing rather discreetly right here.

“Simply because we would not want the planet to know that he is observing Putin purely for business enterprise good reasons, if you stick to me.”

He went on to say Prince Michael could be described as “Her Majesty’s unofficial ambassador to Russia”, and extra that Uk-Russia tensions had not affected his partnership with Mr Putin.

Responding to the promises, Prince Michael’s workplace informed the Press Association: “Prince Michael gets no community funding and earns his own dwelling via a consultancy corporation that he has run for around 40 yrs.

“Prince Michael has no particular romance with President Putin.

“They final met in June 2003 and Prince Michael has experienced no speak to with him or his place of work considering that then.

“Lord Looking through is a great pal, who in making an attempt to help, made solutions which Prince Michael would not have desired, or been equipped, to fulfil.”

Lord Looking through informed PA: “I assumed the approach from the House of Haedong was genuine and I was only making an attempt to facilitate an introduction to my pal Prince Michael.

“I manufactured a miscalculation and around-promised and for that, I am genuinely regretful.

“I wasn’t at my peak as I was recovering from a kidney transplant.

“For the history, the Sambo function which was 8 many years ago was my celebration and Prince Michael was simply my visitor alongside with many other individuals.”

Sky News has contacted Prince Michael’s residence and Buckingham Palace for comment.