Documents submitted to Companies House show that a £150m “holdback” was built into the takeover agreement when the Clearlake Capital–Todd Boehly consortium purchased the club – according to an exclusive report in The Guardian newspaper.

The sum is being retained for five years to cover the cost of any potential penalties arising from investigations into whether Chelsea breached football’s financial rules before the change of ownership.

The clause, included by BlueCo 22 — the vehicle used by the new owners — means part of the purchase price can be used to meet the cost of “any proceeding in relation to events which took place before the acquisition date”. The £150m figure is higher than the £100m buffer previously reported.

While there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the current ownership group, the provision reflects the possibility that football authorities could still pursue sanctions related to the club’s finances during Abramovich’s tenure.

©Rob McGibbon for The Chelsea Citizen

At the same time, separate disclosures indicate that the £2.4bn proceeds from the 2022 sale of Chelsea — currently frozen in a Barclays bank account — may also be affected by a criminal investigation being conducted by authorities in Jersey.

Fordstam Ltd, the company through which Abramovich owned Chelsea, confirmed in its latest accounts that Jersey’s attorney general is investigating whether certain assets linked to the oligarch, potentially including the sale proceeds, could amount to the proceeds of crime. Abramovich has previously denied any wrongdoing.

The funds have been frozen since sanctions were imposed on Abramovich by the UK and European Union following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Russian billionaire has argued that the money should be distributed according to his wishes, while the UK government insists it must be directed towards humanitarian relief in Ukraine.

The situation is further complicated by loans Abramovich provided to Chelsea during his ownership. Among them was £1.4bn in interest-free financing from Camberley International Investments Ltd, a Jersey-based company linked to the former owner.

If repayment of that loan were ever sought, it could significantly reduce the net proceeds of the sale — and any such payment would require approval from the Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.

Abramovich funded Chelsea for nearly two decades through a network of offshore companies, using wealth built from Russia’s oil industry in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Fordstam’s latest filings note that the company does not currently expect the frozen funds to be returned.

Police were called to the historic graveyard on Fulham Road at 8.45am on Friday, 27 February, following reports of a man discovered unresponsive among the tombs.

Officers and paramedics attended, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

The Metropolitan Police have told The Citizen the man has not been named and: “the death is not being treated as suspicious. A file is now being prepared for the coroner.”

“Mr. Mayor – Thank you…

I stand today to present one of the most difficult but most important budgets this council will ever debate. A budget set against the context of a Labour government’s vindicative and shambolic “Fair Funding Review” – a review which leaves RBKC and its residents £108m worse off, through no fault of their own.

We had our house in order, Mr. Mayor. We set balanced budgets and maintained taxes in the bottom 10% of the country. Our services are some of the very best in the country, leading the way in children’s services, adults’ services, parks, public realm – to name just a few. 

We were an example of what Local Government could achieve – fantastic services, locally focused, all whilst keeping taxes low. 

Mr Mayor, you’d think that Labour might want to learn from us; copy us; help other communities deliver services better. But no…

They followed the first rule of socialism – punish success, reward failure. So, the weak-willed, innumerate Ministers in Number 10 decided the only way to bribe their colleagues around the country was by picking the pocket of inner London. 

London – the very heart of the British economy, the city of growth and new development, the city of tourism, investment and opportunity. This was the place they went to asset strip when their socialist ideals failed to generate any new revenue.

We often joke in this chamber that the Labour group ought to get on the bus with us. But, Mr. Mayor, this Labour Government has thrown us, Westminster, LBHF, Wandsworth and The City under that very bus.

We are not alone in this struggle, but we are, Mr. Mayor, the only Council willing to stand up to this bully of a government and shine a light on their underhanded manoeuvring. Let no one leave this chamber tonight not be crystal clear that this was a deliberate attempt by their party to bankrupt this authority.

Mr Mayor  – it pains them no end that they are unable to win this chamber through democracy – instead they wish to eradicate it through centralisation and collectivism.

 It pains them that their ideas about how to govern – higher taxes, more welfare, larger state – have failed so completely. It humiliates them that here in Kensington and Cheslea, we have shown that by keeping money in people’s pocket, delivering outstanding services, and helping residents help themselves, we can succeed. 

The council chamber during the full meeting on 25th February

Mr Mayor  – The successes of K&C highlights the failures of Labour and the Government just cannot let that stand. 

Fortunately, it seems some members sitting opposite have grown wise to the Labour party and have rightly jumped ship. Albeit they’ve seemingly jumped from the Titanic to the Costa Concordia.

Mr. Mayor, whilst the context of tonight’s budget is a difficult one, we Conservatives, do what we always must, and that is to clear up Labour’s mess, and not just because we fully fund twice-weekly bin collections, but because we know that sound money and efficient systems are the best way to deliver outstanding services to our residents at the lowest price. 

Our record is clear: The most Efficient council. This is not us saying it – this is others looking in and recognising that this borough is well run.

But meet this new challenge we must – so here tonight we are putting a raft of savings forward which help us meet this budgetary environment. We are raising taxes by only what is necessary and, unlike Wandsworth and Westminster we are being honest with our residents and not raiding the reserves for a fleeting moment’s PR. We know our reserves are there to provide dividends for our residents – they are not politicians’ playthings.

We are also deleting posts and roles as we seek to build a leaner and more efficient council. And whilst debilitating for a time, the recent criminal cyber-attack on West London councils has shown the potential for rapid transformative change in digital services. We will embrace this digital future and will look to leapfrog other authorities as we move to a digital first approach – whilst maintaining actual human contact for those that require it.

It is not all doom and gloom though, Mr. Mayor – we are opening a new park in Chelsea Riverside ward, we are investing in additional street cleansing and maintenance, and we are investing further in our housing stock and safe TA provision. Whilst also putting money aside to support our older residents.

Mr. Mayor – it is at this point in the night that a Finance lead member would ordinarily pull a rabbit out from their hat – and believe me I looked.

But Mr. Mayor, I have no hat, I have no rabbit. I just have the truth – and I can honestly say that tonight is the first budget in a journey that will see RBKC become finally free of government grants.

A truly sovereign borough – and what could be more fitting for a Royal Borough than actually being Sovereign.

Mr. Mayor – I put this budget forward to this chamber tonight.”

© Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity (RBH Charity)

The goal is to cover 28 miles in 28 days by walking, running, swimming, dancing, or whatever gets you moving. By taking part, you’re not only boosting your own wellbeing, but you’re also making a real difference to a local hospital, as well as to patients across the UK.

Every mile moved and every pound raised help improve care, develop life-saving treatments, and support patients in living longer, healthier lives. The Chelsea Leisure Centre will offer a free day pass to all participants, and you may even win a prize.

When: 1st February – 28th February

Where: Anywhere

Price: Free

For more information, visit: www.rbhcharity.org/challenges-events/move-your-way/

The Italian Sea Group (TISG) has filed a €456m (£399m) lawsuit in Sicily against Angela Bacares Lynch – a long-time resident of Chelsea who survived the sinking – and is the legal owner of the company that owns the £30m yacht. The firm claims sales collapsed after the vessel capsized off the coast of Sicily during a freak storm in August 2024.

Mr Lynch, one of Britain’s most prominent technology entrepreneurs, died alongside his teenage daughter and five others when the yacht sank. Mrs Bacares Lynch, who lives in a £7m Georgina house on one of Chelsea’s most prominent streets, declined to comment.

According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, TISG argues the sinking was caused by crew negligence, not a design fault, and says it has suffered “ruinous” financial losses, including a complete halt in sales of Perini Navi yachts, the brand that built the Bayesian.

A source close to the Lynch family dismissed the claim as “opportunistic”, pointing to a UK investigation that raised concerns about the yacht’s design and stability. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch previously said the vessel had vulnerabilities unknown to the crew.

The lawsuit also names the yacht’s captain and two crew members, who are under criminal investigation by Italian prosecutors.

Mr Lynch founded Cambridge-based Autonomy, sold to Hewlett-Packard for £7bn in 2011. He died while celebrating his acquittal on US fraud charges. His estate is already facing a separate £1.5bn legal claim from HP.

The attack on the Rolex shop happened at 10.53am on Tuesday 20th January. Part of the raid was captured on phone video, which showed two members of the public attempting to thwart the raid.

The footage shows one of the robbers viciously swinging a two foot long blade at the brave have-a-go-heroes. One man was seen waving an object in self-defence, but both men were forced to back off. The attacker then ran to rejoin his fellow gang members who were taking part in the robbery.

In another reel of footage, one of the motorbikes used in the raid is seen abandoned inside the shop.

Police have appealed for eye witnesses to come forward and for any other video footage to be provided to them

mf….

Video of Knightsbridge smash and grab robbery that happened today.. pic.twitter.com/8F5f3AILvR

— London & UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) January 20, 2026

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WATCH CRIME LONDON & GLOBAL (@watch_crime_ldn)

Met Police appeal on X

The British army didn’t want short men. They had to be at least 5’3’’ to sign up in 1914. That changed however when one angry miner, standing just 5’2’’ tall, was rejected by the Birkenhead recruitment office. Not content to leave quietly, he took off his jacket and declared, ‘I’ll fight any man here who says I cannot do my duty!’

Legend has it that it took six men to remove him from the recruiting station.

Sir Alfred Bigland, MP for Birkenhead, heard about this miner and was impressed and intrigued. He believed that short strong men could be just as effective as taller men and that they too should be given the chance to serve their country. The War Office permitted him to raise a battalion of soldiers who failed to meet the official army standard. These men, between 5’-5’3’’ would be called ‘bantams’ after the small aggressive rooster. 

Inspired by posters saying ‘Pluck can make up for inches!’ and ‘Little men have made history’, Bantam battalions sprang up all over Britain. There were 27 in all, plus two made up of Canadian men.

These battalions, based on the ‘Pals Battalions’ model, were feted by their local communities. Songs were sung, poems written about them and newspapers lapped up the story. These battalions were formed into the 35^th and 40^th Bantam Divisions, and they participated in some of the bloodiest battles on the Western front, from the battle of the Somme in 1916, all the way through to the Armistice in 1918. Many died in battle and never came home.  

Ironically, the thing that distinguished the Bantams – their height – was also their undoing. They were very hard to replace. The strong, fit miners, bakers and shipyard workers who formed the original Bantam battalions were being replaced with smaller, weaker men the army labelled ‘degenerates’. 

Many of the original Bantams were also redeployed to the newly founded Tank Corps and tunnelling units where their smaller stature was an advantage. By winter 1916, the writing was on the wall. The 35^th and 40^th Divisions had to accept men of regular height to keep up their numbers.

My connection…

I learned about the Bantams when I came across an online discussion debating the best size for a soldier. The general consensus was that bigger was better, bigger soldiers being stronger and more intimidating. Then someone asked, ‘What about the Japanese?’. Someone else asked ‘What about the Viet Cong?’, and someone else, ‘What about the Gurkhas?’ And then the question that piqued my interest, ‘What about the Bantams?’ 

I had never heard of the Bantams, but I looked into it. I bought Sidney Allinson’s seminal work The Bantams: The Untold  Story of World War One and became totally engrossed in their story.

I am 5ft tall in my stocking feet, so I could immediately relate to the prejudice these men encountered. I have had a few problems about height over the years and I distinctly remember being stood up against a wall and measured when I applied to nurse training in 1991. I made the cut, but I never forgot how unfair it seemed to have my future decided by a tape measure. I knew exactly how that miner felt in 1914!

The character I play, Patrick Michael Wolfe, is an Irishman. I’m Irish myself and I wanted my play to acknowledge the 200,000 Irishmen who served in the Great War. While their service is celebrated by the Unionist community the rest of Ireland long ago chose to forget about them. It’s time to remember both the Bantams and the Irishmen who fought.  

The Last Bantam is a play about patriotism, prejudice, courage and betrayal. Inspired by real events.  

The Chelsea connection…

There are several links to the Bantams in Kensington and Chelsea.  A rather infamous one is Brigadier General Frank Percy Crozier. He commanded the 119th Welsh Bantam Brigade in the Battle of Bourlon Wood, November 1917. While technically too tall to be a Bantam (he stood a mighty 5’3 and a half inches) he was given command of the 119th.

Crozier was a resident of Kensington who attended military training at Chelsea Barracks. He was physically daring and was mentioned in dispatches and decorated multiple times for gallantry in the 14-18 war.

Crozier was a controversial character who came with a lot of baggage. An alcoholic and a bankrupt, the army didn’t want him after the war. He became Inspector General of the Lithuanian army and then commanded the Black & Tans in Ireland during the War of Independence. He resigned (he claimed) over their brutality.

He ran for parliament as an MP twice (and failed) and became embroiled in a series of court cases, claiming damages for slander and injuries sustained in Ireland. He wrote several books, in one of which (‘The Men I Killed’), he describes and justifies his shooting some of his own men to hold the line. He became a pacifist in the lead up to the Second World War and toured the country advocating for disarmament right up until his death in 1937.   

A further local connection is Sir Alfred Bigland, who founded the Birkenhead Bantams, and had his portrait painted by his brother, artist Percy Bigland, at his studio at 32 – and later 29 – Tite Street. 

Then there was the comedian Arthur Askey (1900 – 1982), who served in the 19^th Bantam Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers during WW1. In the 1950s, Askey moved into Campden Hill Gate, off Kensington Church Street, and later lived in St. Mary Abbots Terrace.  

As part of its national tour, The Last Bantam is on at Drayton Arms Theatre, 153 Old Brompton Road, SW5 0LJ, on 25th January at 5pm and on 26th January at 7:30 pm

Book tickets HERE

 Watch a YouTube trailer HERE  

The attack happened just before 2pm on Sunday 4 January, as the woman and the suspect passed one another on a stairway inside the station.

Detectives say the man sexually assaulted the victim in the moment they crossed paths, before disappearing into the busy station.

Now British Transport Police have launched an urgent appeal — and released a CCTV image of a man they believe may have information that could help identify the suspect.

Officers are urging anyone who recognises him — or who was in the station around that time and may have seen something — to come forward.

A BTP spokesperson said detectives are “keen to speak” to the man pictured as part of their enquiries.

Do you recognise him?

Anyone who can help is asked to contact British Transport Police:
• Text: 61016
• Call: 0800 40 50 40
• Quote reference 600 of 5 January

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Kensington and Chelsea has been plunged into digital chaos after a major cyberattack forced the Royal Borough into emergency mode — with staff ordered to work from home, systems shut down, and phone lines still unreliable.

The cyber assault, which has also hit Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham under joint IT arrangements, is now being probed by the National Crime Agency and GCHQ’s cyber spooks.

Cllr Elizabeth Campbell shared information about the incident on a video posted by the RBKC YouTube channel.

 

Insiders say the move to disconnect council servers — an “extreme and blunt” step normally reserved for catastrophes — shows just how serious the breach is.

In an emergency video broadcast on YouTube late on Thursday, council leader Elizabeth Campbell announced that the tech’ system is expected to be affected for TWO WEEKS.

A worried town hall source admitted parts of RBKC’s network have been deliberately kept offline “for some days” as tech teams scramble to contain the fallout.

One internal memo, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, warns staff to “remain vigilant” while systems stay shut as a precaution. The note says staff can continue to access the guest Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots in their offices, but the authority is not predicting a full return of all affected systems “for some days”.

 

Now in only its fourth year, the competition has grown into a popular and coveted art competition, with more than 1,500 hopefuls battling it out across sculpture, painting and installation. 

Hotel bosses say this year has been the biggest — and most fiercely contested — yet.

Top honours went to Beth McAlester, whose hauntingly intimate painting about family and the legacy of the Northern Ireland conflict left judges stunned. The panel gave her unanimous first place and £10,000 to turbo-charge her career as she prepares to join the Royal Academy Schools.

The Hari CEO Francesco Sardelli with winner Beth McAlester

Runner-up Franklin Collins was awarded £3,000 for transforming junk into jaw-dropping beauty — turning scrap into show-stoppers with what judges called raw honesty and bold vision. And in third place, Elinor Haynes impressed with her experimental mix of textures and materials, scooping £1,000 for pushing the boundaries of what art can be.

The cash prizes were thanks to the generosity of The Hari’s CEO and chairman Dr Aron Harilela, in collaboration with the leading art curators A Space for Art. 

Judges and winners celebrate the Art Prize

Guests toasted the night with a bespoke cocktail menu from drinks partner Clase Azul, including the Prickly Paloma and the Rosa Negroni — before the tequila maestros handed their own Clase Azul Choice Award to Damien Cifelli for his striking storytelling style.

General Manager Francesco Sardelli told The Chelsea Citizen: “We are delighted to be hosting The Hari Art Prize again this year after the huge success we saw in 2024. At The Hari, we are committed to celebrating art and giving young artists as much opportunity as possible. We look forward to supporting new generations of talent.”

Since September, works by shortlisted artists have been popping up throughout the hotel’s plush public spaces — turning corridors into galleries and lobbies into mini-museums.

The exhibition stays open until January 2026, giving Londoners a chance to say they spotted the next big thing – before everyone else did!

Visit The Hari here