Ex-KGB man turned oligarch, Alexander Lebedev, is said to have paid a nominal £1 for a stake of 75.1% in the London Evening Boris. Which kind of supports Guido’s thesis that the newspaper business is a dying business.
This might not be good news for Boris, the paper has been a staunch supporter of him, Lebedev’s consigliere, Justin Byam Shaw, will become deputy chairman. The wheeler dealer is fondly known as Justin Byem Sellem and is presumably a supporter of the LibDems since Guido understands he donated money to Nick Clegg’s leadership campaign – although strangely Guido can find no record of this on the Electoral Commission register. Boris might not be able to count on slavish support in the future…
What is the betting that Lebedev will buy the Indy next? Any takers?
UPDATE 16.30 : Nick Clegg’s office have been in touch to say Justin Byam Shaw gave £3,000 to Clegg’s leadership campaign and it is on the Electoral Register. Clegg has two separate entries, one as leader and another as an MP. Guido was looking at the wrong one. Doh!
