L&G ‘spread poisoned soup theories’

Insurance giant Legal and General has been accused of spreading ‘florid theories’ about poisoned soup to explain the death of a Russian whistleblower.

Alexander Perepilichnyy, 44, collapsed and died while he was running up a steep hill in his £3 million St George’s Hill estate in Weybridge, Surrey, on 10 November 2012.

A paramedic at the scene said the father-of-two’s death looked like a ‘textbook cardiac arrest.’

But claims have since been made that his death may have been suspicious after he helped investment firm Hermitage Capital Management to uncover a £150m money laundering operation in Russia.

The Old Bailey heard Mr Perepilichnyy took out life insurance policies worth £3.5million with a number of companies including Legal and General between May and July 2012, and applied for a further £5million before he died.

John Beggs QC, for his widow Tatiana Perepilichnaya, claimed L&G created a ‘John Le Carre atmosphere’ in the case to avoid paying her £2million.

He asked L&G director Russ Whitworth if the firm had tried to conceal its involvement in the inquest, which will determine whether Mr Perepilichnyy was poisoned, and, if so, who murdered him.

Mr Beggs said: ‘In this case it’s a matter of record that you have, your firm Legal and General, has instructed leading counsel and junior counsel from the outset haven’t you?’

Mr Whitworth replied: ‘We have, we have instructed counsel.’

Mr Beggs said: ‘And for some reason Legal and General have preferred in your documents to be described as the insurers rather than Legal and General.

‘Is it that you would prefer the public not to read about how Legal and General have conducted themselves in this inquest?’

When Mr Whitworth said he thought L&G had used ‘discretion’, Mr Beggs said: ‘Discretion to protect your own media image, isn’t it.’

The barrister admitted being an L&G customer, but blasted the company for creating theories and ‘creating a John Le Carré-type atmosphere’.

He suggested the claims are part of an attempt by L&G to avoid paying out £2million to Mrs Perepilichnaya – but the court heard that a ‘high percentage’ of the money would be covered by reinsurers.

‘I would like the press to report who it is that have treated the widow in the way she has been treated,’ said Mr Beggs.

‘To raise florid theories – poisoned soup, John Le Carré novels – do you think that’s a responsible thing to do?

‘That’s what your counsel have been doing – you can smile Mr Whitworth, but it isn’t actually so funny for the children of Mrs Perepilichnaya.’

Mr Whitworth replied: ‘I do regret any upset to the family… I’m only the claims and underwriting director for Legal and General, I’m not a spokesperson for the company, and anything you are asking me about florid theories is really a subject between Legal and General and its counsel.’

Mrs Perepilichnaya previously insisted her late husband took out the life insurance policies to get a mortgage for a £7.8million mansion in England, and said he never discussed any threats or safety fears with her.

Mr Whitworth agreed it was ‘perfectly normal practise’ for people to get insurance before acquiring a mortgage, and said it was ‘plausible’ that the policy may have been sought to mitigate against future inheritance tax liabilities.

The inquest is expected to last for three weeks.

The hearing continues