The billionaire-backer of a pro-Brexit think-tank has won a libel claim against campaigners who accused him of being a “dishonest hypocrite” over his stance on the European Union.
Christopher Chandler, a Dubai-based businessman who funded the influential think-tank the Legatum Institute, had been accused of pushing for Britain to leave the EU while buying Maltese citizenship to ensure continued visa-free travel across the 28-nation bloc.
Malta is the EU’s smallest member state and has been criticised by lawmakers for introducing a citizenship-for-sale scheme that allows non-EU citizens to secure a passport in return for investment in the island nation.
The pro-EU campaign Group Another Europe is Possible published a tweet and video in February which said the "secretive billionaire" had used his fortune to ensure he had continued rights and freedoms enjoyed by nationals of EU member states, London's High Court heard. On Facebook, it posted a message saying: "Meet Christopher Chandler, He's a #BrexitHypocrite," according to a statement read out in London's High Court.
Mr Chandler’s lawyer said that the businessman had started preparing his Maltese citizenship claim in early 2015 - before then-premier David Cameron won May elections and delivered on his campaign promise to hold a referendum on EU membership.
The application was thus “submitted long before the wholly unexpected referendum result in June 2016”, the High Court heard.
Another Europe is Possible is a left-wing coalition that campaigned to stay within the EU and promote internal reforms. Since the UK voted narrowly to leave the EU in 2016, it has campaigned for a second vote on the eventual terms of the deal.
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Read more:
Malta considers expanding controversial cash-for-passport programme
Dubai-based billionaire hits back at Russia spy claims
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Mr Coad said the organisation falsely claimed that Mr Chandler was trying to persuade the UK government to pursue the most extreme form of Brexit, while knowing his personal wealth would protect his family from the impact of withdrawing from the world’s largest trading bloc.
The video and tweet had been deleted and an apology was due to be posted on the campaigning group’s social media channels last night, said Mr Coad. An unspecified sum was due to be paid to charity.
The legal win follows a turbulent month for the businessman who was accused in parliament of being a possible Russian agent who was targeted in a French investigation.
The claims appear to have been linked to Mr Chandler’s business activities through his investment company the Legatum Group in the 1990s when he traded in stock of Russian companies including the energy producer Gazprom.
Mr Chandler denied the spying claims and criticised the “harsh, public attack” on his integrity because of his apparent support for the UK’s decision to leave the EU next year.
The Sunday Times reported this week that the claims appeared in a 87-page dossier that was circulated around UK media months ago. It included claims that Mr Chandler had acted as a front for senior Russian officials. The dossier also alleged he laundered funds on behalf of non-Russian companies including the “Trump Group”.
“You may as well have put Mother Teresa in there and Mary Poppins,” Mr Chandler told the newspaper. “I’ve never had personal contact with Trump or his organisation. When I say that I am stupefied, you can maybe get a sense as to why.”
Mr Chandler denied all the allegations and said that the dossier included key errors. He told the Sunday Times he believed he was the victim of a Russian disinformation campaign.
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
MO
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The%20specs
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Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest
Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
The%20specs
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Scream%20VI
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
