Vladimir Antonov is a man who quite a few people in PO4 would like to chat with about Pompey’s darkest days, yet you are unlikely to run into him this side of the Russian border. However, I was delighted to see him get a mention in the current edition of Private Eye (No.1478 7th / 20th Sept, 2018).
In the magazine’s Special Report “Looting with Putin”, Mr Antonov is reported to be resident in Moscow having sneaked out of Britain in 2015, despite a successful application for extradition being placed with the UK Government by Lithuania.
The Private Eye report explains how easily it has been for money laundering and fraud to take place in the UK using supposedly reputable London firms of accountants, auditors and lawyers. The report focuses on the Russian business associates of Vladimir Putin and the London professionals who have been all too willing do business with them, despite serious doubts about the legitimacy of the roubles involved. Which is why we get an update on Vladimir Antonov’s current situation.
Private Eye announces that Mr. Antonov was ably assisted by established law firms whilst setting up his commercial operations in the UK. The most recent of whom has been London law firm Mishcon de Reya. He asked the firm to try and release his London properties from a worldwide freezing order, but they were unsuccessful.
Mishcon de Reya’s motto appears on search engines as “Business. But it’s Personal.” which given the client base of 2009, sounds a bit threatening. I am amused to note that this expensive law firm is pushing the boundaries of punctation with the conjunction preceded by a full stop. Poor punctuation in a contract can cost a lot of money. You have been warned. Another wry smile is elicited by the Mishcon de Reya website www.mishcon.com which starts with a film promising “Welcome to the Law of Tomorrow.” It is a shame someone did not look more closely when Mr Antonov came knocking when it was the law of today.
Our erstwhile club owner had previously used another top notch firm of solicitors, Macfarlanes to help him buy a townhouse in Notting Hill in 2009. Macfarlanes’ website www.macfarlanes.com opens with a lovely line, Clarity Helping You To Navigate Complexity. Perhaps they could have helped Pompey out when attempts were being made to untangle the complexity of Mr Antonov’s tenure here? Average property prices in Notting Hill in 2009 were around £1.3 million, but a townhouse may have set you back a bit more. Quite a sum, even if it was other people’s money, but nice to know Macfarlanes were able to grab a slice of the pie when it came to conveyancing fees.
Incidentally the €290 million missing from Snoros Bank in Lithuania that Antonov is wanted for questioning about is still not accounted for – a bit like the money Pompey was expecting from Liverpool FC for Glen Johnson.
Meanwhile, for Vladimir Antonov, despite being safe in Moscow, his property assets in London remain frozen while the allegations against him are pursued.
Private Eye is on sale every fortnight and costs £2 from all good newsagents.
Chris Perry 06/09/2018
Pompey Writers 