I
live on the west side of the Holloway Road in north London. In these
Covid days I make regular walks northwards and pant my way up
Highgate Hill from Archway, passing the Whittington hospital and its
cat. Legend has it that the 15th century Mayor of London
made his fortune by selling his cat to a rat-infested country. So not
all money is ill-begotten. And not all legends are true!
At
the top I arrive in Highgate Village. This is where George Michael
had a house, as still do Sting and Terry Gilliam. Musicians and comedians
living there? That’s OK with me, but take a look at this ‘house’.
For the last twelve years ‘Witanhurst’, described as the second
largest palace in London (after Buckingham), has been under
reconstruction. This photo explains why it’s taking so long. It is
owned by Russian fertiliser magnate Andrey Guryev and was bought for
£50m through British Virgin Islands tax haven company, Safran
Holdings. After this work its value has been estimated at £300m.
Back home and on
the other, east side of the Holloway Road you will find Jeremy Corbyn. Here
he is leaving his 'palace' with his wife, described by the Daily Mail
as "sharing his zeal for Left-wing politics who imports Fairtrade
coffee from her homeland." The Mail has criticised Jeremy for
owning his own home. I wonder if his ‘palace’ was bought through
a British tax haven.
When
Guryev and family finally move into Highgate will we see them on
bicycles? No need. Looks like they can get all the exercise they need
without leaving home.
Russian
oligarchs are major funders of the Tory Party.
