Truth behind sale of Prince Andrew’s £15m home to Kazakhstani oligarch revealed
Leaked emails reveal royal’s property was sold for well over the asking price and royal was keen to sell it to Kazakh
LEAKED emails show that Prince Andrew tried to make sure his £15million former home was sold to a Kazakh oligarch, it was claimed last night.
The messages show his aides discussed security and interior design with Timur Kulibayev, despite Palace claims he had nothing to do with the sale.
Sunninghill Park, which was given to Andrew by the Queen as a wedding present, was bought by Kulibayev for £3million over the asking price.
It had been for sale for five years before suddenly changing hands in November 2007.
But no one ever moved in to the mansion in Berkshire and it was left to rot.
Emails also reveal Kulibayev — the son-in-law of Andrew’s friend and Kazakhstan dictator Nursultan Nazarbayev — asked about renting fields around the property for extra security.
The Daily Mail also claims Andrew tried to persuade Coutts, the Queen’s bank, to take Kulibayev on as a client.
The reports follow earlier revelations that Andrew helped a Greek sewage company and a Swiss finance house pursue a £385million contract in Kazakhstan.