WATCH: Brecqhou twin feud intensifies as 'bugging' vid released

Tuesday 19 May 2020

One of the Brecqhou-based Barclay twins has released a video of his nephew allegedly handling a bugging device at the Ritz, as the row over the sale of one of their hottest properties intensifies.

The 85-year-old billionaire is suing three of Sir David Barclay's sons for allegedly secretly recording multiple conversation in a conservatory at the luxury hotel.

The CCTV footage allegedly shows Alistair Barclay inserting a listening device into a plug socket on 13 January this year. It is claimed the device captured around 94 hours of conversation recordings.

Sir Frederick claims those conversations were used by his nephews to sell the hotel - which was owned by the two twins - for half the market price.

Video: The footage showing the alleged planting of a secret recording device in a room at the Ritz. (The National/YouTube)

The Ritz was bought by a Qatari investor earlier this year, after Sir Frederick announced that he would sue his brother if the hotel sold for less than £1bn. He claims the deal was made without his consent or agreement.

Now the twin is alleging misuse of private information, breach of confidence and breach of data protection laws.

Sir Frederick decided to release the CCTV footage to the public himself.

"The decision to release this video of this deliberate and premeditated invasion of my privacy is in the public interest," he said in a statement.

"I do not want anyone else to go through the awful experience of having their personal and private conversations listened to by scores of strangers.

"It is surely in everyone's interests for the law to be changed to prevent people outside the authorities using sophisticated spying devices that have such an intrusive impact."

The case continues.