Peston Serves Osborne his Lunch as Sweet Revenge for Greg Hands Fraud Allegations

So you know how we were waiting for a response from Robert Peston in relation to the allegation made by MP Greg Hands (and backed by shadow chancellor George Osborne), that he was the pawn in an insider trading ring? Well, rather than defend himself against the allegation, Peston has just decided to serve Osborne his lunch directly, via today’s new mega scoop care of Nat Rothschild.

The basic gist is this – super rich heir Nat Rothschild in a letter today alleges that Osborne tried to solicit donations from Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, while a guest on the billionaires yacht in Corfu this summer (yup, same one Mandy was on). Receiving campaign donations from overseas residents is of course illegal. As the Times reports:

“Mr Rothschild said that Mr Osborne and Mr Feldman discussed a donation from Mr Deripaska for Tory coffers. He also said that Mr Feldman suggested that Mr Deripaska might channel the money through one of his British companies.

The claim was vehemently denied by the Tories, who said it was Mr Deripaska who, at a later date, offered money. The Conservatives say they did not take up his offer. Donations by overseas residents are illegal, as is using a British company as a proxy to disguise an impermissible donation, under legislation passed in 2000″

Now check out Robert Peston’s response – he’s backing Nat Rothschild to the hilt:

“The first thing to say about Nat Rothschild, whom I’ve met a couple of times, is that he is a tenacious, steely individual – who does not make allegations lightly.

He’s also extremely well-heeled, having made hundreds of millions of dollars as a partner of the New York hedge fund, Atticus.

Also I would not have described him as a Labour supporter.

So these allegations are not going to vanish into thin air as quickly as they’ve come.”

Get in there Peston! Dig in the knife… The best is yet to come though, because GUESS WHAT, the man who seems to have sources everywhere ALSO has sources here:

“What I have learned is that there were witnesses to these conversations.

And that if push came to shove, this won’t be a case of the word of one man, Nat Rothschild, against that of another, George Osborne.

At least one of these witnesses would be prepared to support Nat Rothschild’s version of events, were it ever to come to court.”

So who’s looking over their shoulder now eh? EH?!!

Posted by Jonty Rhodes in Hot Money | October 21, 2008 1:48PM |