Lord Lucan's pal believes murder suspect earl was 'smuggled to Africa by Sir James Goldsmith'
By David Collins

George Weiss said Lucan’s inner circle at the Clermont gambling club were convinced he had been whisked out of the country by the multi-millionaire

A close friend of Lord Lucan has broken 40 years of silence to suggest the earl was smuggled to Africa by financier James Goldsmith after the family nanny was murdered.

George Weiss, who spent the afternoon playing backgammon with the earl the day before he vanished, said Lucan’s inner circle at the Clermont gambling club were convinced he had been whisked out of the country by the multi-millionaire.

The diamond dealer’s son gives a fascinating insight into Lucan’s life at the club, describing him as “cool, extremely impressive and very charming”.

The Clermont in Mayfair, London, counted dukes, earls and cabinet ministers among its members. They rubbed shoulders with famous names like Goldsmith, legendary gambler Joe Dwek and John Aspinall, the club’s billionaire owner.

And it was a second home to “Lucky” Lucan who blew his fortune on its tables.

George, 74, describes for the first time the atmosphere in the club after one of its most charismatic and popular members vanished after the murder of nanny Sandra Rivett on November 7, 1974.

He said: “People said Jimmy Goldsmith had helped him escape to Africa.

“It was the talk of the Clermont. He was a multi-millionaire with lots of contacts, especially Africa and Israel.

“Another member told me Lucan had been smuggled to South Africa.”

In Thursday’s Mirror, George revealed how the playboy Lord had been shocked after a kitten he bought his children had been posted through his letter box with its throat cut.

He called it the “tipping point” in Lucan’s life after being estranged from his children following a bitter separation with wife, Veronica.

His mental state was also likely affected by a huge build up of debt following a series of disastrous gambling losses.

Read More: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/lord-lucans-pal-believes-murder-4589017

--Mirror Online 2014-11-07

One less member of the House of Lords, so at least Goldsmith did something positive if this was true.

Have heard whispers from my Kenya days, that he holed up at http://www.mcc.co.ke/ where he had colonial friends to hide him.

Kenya settler types of 'White Mischief' brigade.

The connections are strong! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josslyn_Hay,_22nd_Earl_of_Erroll

a Lord, an Earl, a Knight, a count of one each (pun intended)

Pretty sure I once met him at a Pattaya Hash.

One less member of the House of Lords, so at least Goldsmith did something positive if this was true.

Positive - helping a hiso connected aristocrat to flee from justice on a murder investigation?

Bravo.

It was around the same era when Sir Gerald Nabarro famously cheated justice by lying convincingly, and being supported by the "Old Boy" establishment network.

He stated quite openly then (and correctly too) that in Britain if you "had money" you could get away with anything!

I believe that to this day the same remains true, it may be more covert and below the radar, but true none the less.

In the US it was OJ, in South Africa it was Pistoreous. When it comes to the rich in almost every country they have no time for morals, ethics, responsibility or accountability. If a price has to be paid then let someone else foot the bill, they have a divine right to move on with their lives unhindered!

Their friends, family and business acquaintances will assist when required, it always has been so and always will be.