Barclay feud saw covert recordings in the Ritz

Wednesday 26 February 2020

A Barclay family feud allegedly saw Sir Frederick's nephews bug a Ritz Hotel conservatory to listen to his private conversations, according to national media reports.

The billionaire media mogul Sir Frederick Barclay was allegedly secretly recorded by his twin, Sir David's three sons, who all listened to conversations.

This was during a quarrel over "the family trust" in a disagreement which "pitched cousin against cousin", a High Court in the UK has heard. 

The matter came before the courts when Sir Frederick and his daughter, Amanda, started legal action alleging misuse of private information and a breach of confidence. Each of the three sons, and one of their children, were the respondents, alongside a Barclay Group board member. 

Pictured: The Court heard how Sir Frederick used the conservatory to smoke cigars.

Information about the way the recordings were being done only came to light last month when Alistair, one of the three sons, was videoed fiddling with one of the bugs in the conservatory. 

It was argued there was a strong case that there had been illegal activity over a long period of time. 

There was an attempt to put a non-disclosure order on the case, but that was thrown out by the Judge.

The case continues. 

Pictured top: The Barclay brothers, Sir Frederick and Sir David. (image by James Fraser)