Lib Dem £2.4m `from stolen fortune`

Nov 10 2008

A bogus bond dealer born in Glasgow used a fortune stolen from a hapless investor to donate a record £2.4 million to the Liberal Democratic party, a court has heard.

Michael Brown, whose apparent political largesse was designed to "create the impression he was a well-connected man", used millions more plundered cash to fund an "extravagant lifestyle," meet business expenses and keep other investors happy with "pretend" returns, it was claimed.

"After all he had a front to maintain," said Martin Edmund QC, prosecuting.