‘Sexist' Venus bronze removed from Berlin government building
Admired by the war criminal Hermann Goering, dumped in a lake by SS troops and now banished from an office building for being sexist, an 18th-century bronze of the Medici Venus has had a chequered history.
The replica of the classical sculpture of the goddess of love covering her nakedness with her hands found favour with the pilot and art thief Goering, who exhibited her in his Carinhall country estate outside Berlin for eight years.
In the dying days of the Second World War, when the SS blew up Carinhall to stop it falling into the hands of the Soviets, she was thrown into a nearby lake, along with other unwieldy art treasures amassed by the Nazi.
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Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
‘A loan to fund my divorce left me homeless and £300k in debt'
Shelley Kavanagh knew getting divorced would be expensive. But she never imagined it would leave her homeless and saddled with a six-figure debt. The 55-year-old mother-of-three went from living in a seven-bedroom house to struggling to rent a flat after taking out a loan to fund her legal costs. She said: 'By the time everything unravelled, the combined loan and legal costs had far exceeded my assets, leaving me financially ruined.' The Telegraph has spoken to several women who were advised by their solicitors to fund their divorces using huge loans that devastated their finances. The loans – provided by litigation funders – were borrowed against the marital home so they could only be repaid following the sale of the property. Until then interest piled up at a rate of 18pc. This eye-watering level of interest meant that by the time the women came to sell up, the debt had eroded the equity in their homes. Campaigners are now calling for tighter regulation of lenders trying to cash in on divorce. 'It had a direct impact on my children' Ms Kavanagh's ordeal began when she was introduced to Novitas, one of the best-known divorce lenders, in 2015 by her solicitors. A housewife at the time, she agreed to borrow £150,000 to finance her divorce. The initial interest rate was 18pc – adding £27,000 in the first year, not including other charges. By the time the divorce was over, the debt had ballooned to over £300,000. She said: 'My credit rating was destroyed, and I became homeless. This had a direct impact on my children, as my unstable housing situation meant overnight stays with me were nearly impossible. Even finding a rental property became a challenge, as landlords were reluctant to accept tenants with poor credit histories.' Ms Kavanagh, who now lives in Oxfordshire, had to move in with her father while she got back on her feet. She was only able to find accommodation after he lent her money to pay the rent in advance. She said: 'Without that support, the outcome would have been significantly different.' The Novitas loan was paid using the proceeds of the house sale, leaving Ms Kavanagh 'with very little remaining'. The lender agreed to a £50,000 reduction after she complained. But she still believes the company should not have lent to her in the first place. 'Targeted at the height of vulnerability' Launched in 2011, Novitas at one point described itself as the leading provider of loans for people going through divorce. It claimed to work with 900 law firms, according to a post on the platform Twitter, now X, from 2019. Documents show Novitas would carry out a credit check as part of an individual's application. It said it was 'unlikely' to lend if the applicant had a County Court Judgement (CCJ). Ms Kavanagh had a CCJ – yet she was lent the money anyway. She said: 'A CCJ is a clear warning sign of financial vulnerability, yet Novitas proceeded with the loan regardless. This suggests that they either failed to conduct proper credit checks or deliberately ignored red flags.' She said women like her had been presented with the loans while they were at 'the height of their vulnerability'. She added: 'We want justice for what we've been through.' 'My divorce debt snowballed to £700,000' The litigation funding industry has grown dramatically over the past decade, filling a vacuum left behind by cuts to legal aid. Lenders argue they give important financial backing to individuals pursuing fair divorce settlements. However, in recent years a number of borrowers have lodged complaints about litigation loans with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), some of which have been upheld. Another mother introduced to Novitas by her solicitor was Rosie Heys. In 2014, Ms Heys, 59, from Oxfordshire, agreed to borrow £100,000 to cover her divorce costs. Again, this loan, which carried an 18pc interest rate, was secured against her property. At the time, she only earned about £1,000 a month working as a freelance personal assistant – although the stress of the divorce meant she eventually lost the job. As the case dragged on, Ms Heys agreed to take out additional borrowing, taking her total debt to £230,000. She instructed a different solicitor and took out a personal loan with a lower interest rate from another provider. This was used to pay the new fees and the Novitas loan. She said: 'I couldn't see a way out. I was stuck in a house I couldn't sell, with a debt that was accruing at £600 a day. I just didn't know what to do.' It took Ms Heys a decade to sell the property, with £700,000 of the proceeds used to pay off the loan. Ms Heys complained to Novitas who agreed to refund her £7,000 in interest because it had failed to provide her with regular statements about her debt. However, it did not accept her other complaints and so Ms Heys approached the FOS, which concluded in 2023 that the loan was unaffordable and that Novitas had not carried out adequate affordability checks. It ordered Novitas to refund the interest and charges, which added up to £50,000 in total, but not the capital, as this had been used to cover the solicitors' fees. In a separate case, involving a woman who borrowed £45,000, the FOS went further and instructed Novitas to refund almost her entire debt. The lender was told to cap her liability at £1,745 as this was the amount the FOS decided she might reasonably have spent on mediation. 'I wish I'd walked away and let my husband take everything' Ms Heys and Ms Kavanagh have spoken to dozens of women who also took out litigation loans that significantly impacted their finances and mental health. One mother, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Telegraph she wished she had just walked away and left her ex-husband everything rather than get divorced because at least then she would not be in debt. Ms Heys said: 'Some people are so traumatised that they just can't handle it.' She said the debt had also had a profound impact on the children of the women affected, as many were now living in rental accommodation. 'Renting in this country is very precarious because people can give you notice and get you out in two months. And that's the situation most of these children have found themselves in.' Ms Heys and Ms Kavanagh want those affected to know they may be able to seek redress through the FOS. But they also want greater awareness of the risks of litigation loans for those going through a divorce. Former MP Seema Kennedy, of campaign group Fair Civil Justice, said: 'These appalling cases highlight the urgent need for reform. Vulnerable individuals going through divorce should not be exploited by litigation funders with clear conflicts of interest, racking up excessive fees that can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds. Without proper regulation, consumers are left dangerously exposed.' Litigation loans are regulated under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. But they are also part of the broader third-party litigation funding industry, which is largely self-regulated. Other agreements are 'non-recourse', meaning the litigation funder only gets paid if the case is successful. The Civil Justice Council this week called for 'light-touch regulation' of litigation funding following a consultation. In a report, it said complaints about litigation loans with the FOS reinforced the need 'for effective financial services and legal services regulation' and highlighted the need for consumers to be 'fully informed' about the nature of this funding. Novitas was bought by Close Brothers in 2017 in a £31m deal. However, it ceased lending to new customers in 2021 and is now in the process of being wound down. The banking group had to set aside over £100m to cover its bad loans. In its 2022 accounts, Novitas earmarked £5.3m in redress for customers who took out loans to fund divorce and probate cases.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Female traveller reveals reason she feels safer in Spain than in the UK
A British expat living in Spain has revealed she feels safer in her adopted country than her homeland - and her reason why puts the UK in the shade. Mother-of-two Carley Chaplin, who moved with her family to near Barcelona more than 18 months ago, said she had been especially impressed by 'how rapid and effective the police are here in Spain.' The content creator, who shares videos about her new life abroad to her more than 30,000 followers, revealed how swiftly police officers recently dealt with a situation that arose in her neighbourhood just hours before she travelled back to the UK for a visit. After noticing a woman 'acting very strangely', the family called the police and said they had turned up 'within two minutes'. Posting a video in April, Ms Chaplin said: 'Just had another really good example of how rapid and effective the police are here in Spain. 'Got up very early this morning to go to the airport because we're heading to the UK to see family over Easter. 'And we were leaving the house at 4am as you do. And there was some random woman ringing the doorbell of one of the apartments across the street, which is strange at 4am. 'Anyway, we were a bit concerned because we're leaving our home and you know there's always a worry about [someone] getting in when you're not there. The content creator revealed how swiftly police officers recently dealt with a situation that arose in her neighbourhood Ms Chaplin moved with her family from the UK to near Barcelona more than 18 months ago 'And she was acting very very strangely. So we rang the local police and within two minutes they were there talking to this woman. 'Now it turns out she was known to them. 'But I just thought that was another fantastic example of how the police here in Spain and particularly in Catalonia are so responsive and deal with things rapidly and effectively.' And Ms Chaplin is certainly not alone in her sentiments, judging by a recent poll. The 2024 Global Peace Index ranked Spain as the 23rd safest country in the world while the UK placed 34th out of 163 countries. But it seems Spain isn't the only Mediterranean country winning over British expats. A similar story is unfolding in Greece, where another UK native has found not just a new home, but a better way of life. Brit-Venezuelan Daniel Carrizalez upped sticks from London in the UK and settled down in Nafplio in the Peloponnese region with his family back in 2010. Fourteen years later, the 49-year-old music composer and online entrepreneur has relocated with his wife and four-month-old daughter and has since had another daughter in Greece. He told MailOnline Travel: 'We were drawn to the Mediterranean lifestyle, rich culture and beautiful landscapes. Greece offered a slower, more fulfilling pace of life and a chance to raise our family surrounded by history, nature and strong community values.' Daniel said he'd never experienced such an amazing 'sense of community' before moving to Greece. He revealed: 'The biggest surprise has been the deep, genuine friendliness of people here. The warmth and hospitality are even more pronounced than I expected. Greeks go out of their way to make you feel welcome.' The relaxed and wholesome Greek lifestyle has been the biggest bonus to moving for Daniel, who loves 'being surrounded by natural beauty every day' and people who 'genuinely care about each other'. The Brit explained that 'crime isn't a significant problem in Nafplio' and although there's 'petty crime', it 'generally feels very safe and people look out for each other.' While the lifestyle is a definite improvement on the UK, Daniel admits that bureaucracy is more of a challenge in Greece. He explained: 'The pace can be a bit slower. Things like paperwork and setting up services can take longer than in the UK, which can be frustrating. Things tend to be more streamlined in the UK.' Also, driving in Greece can be something of 'an adventure', says Daniel with 'narrow and winding rural roads' presenting a challenge. But he adds that 'the views make it worthwhile'. So how did the family settle on Nafplio, a coastal city about a two-hour drive from Athens, as their new home? Daniel explains: 'It's known for its historical significance, beautiful architecture and seaside charm. It's a perfect blend of culture, scenery and close-knit community, plus it offers a wonderful environment for our family.' Eating out is 'fantastic', adds Daniel, who loves the country's emphasis on fresh and local ingredients'. His favourite restaurant is a 'magical' taverna called in Nafplio's old town with views of the sea and Bourtzi castle. So, would he recommend other Brits make the move?
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Drug kingpin gunned down in Costa del Sol bar with Scottish gangster was 'seen as top dog by rival cartels' - before having £250k bounty put on his head
A notorious British gangland figure who was gunned down in a brutal double shooting on the Costa del Sol is believed to have had a £250,000 contract placed on his life amid growing tensions with a rival Spanish drugs crew. Ross Monaghan, 43, long associated with Glasgow 's violent Lyons crime family, was assassinated alongside fellow mobster Eddie Lyons Jr, 46, outside a bar he owned in Fuengirola, southern Spain. Both men were executed in a chilling hit just moments after watching the Champions League final last Saturday night while on a golfing holiday with twelve buddies. Sources say Monaghan had become a key decision-maker in the Lyons operation, wielding major influence over its drugs operations from his base on the Costa, and was even seen by some as more powerful than figurehead Steven Lyons. He also allegedly acted as a liaison with Ireland's feared Kinahan cartel, forging ties with the notorious Dublin-based outfit that has been linked to multiple murders and a multimillion pound drug empire. Insiders now claim Monaghan had become such a prominent figure that rival gangs viewed him as a top-level target, with one English-linked syndicate reportedly warning of a £250,000 hit being planned in the weeks leading up to his death. 'Eddie's brother Steven is often seen as boss of the Lyons gang but, in reality, Ross Monaghan was on an equal footing,' one source told the Scottish Sun. 'He sometimes made more big decisions to the point some joked it should be called the Monaghan gang instead of the Lyons.' Authorities believe the hitman knew exactly who he was going after, cornering Monaghan inside his own bar after first shooting Lyons in the street outside. CCTV footage released earlier this week by Spanish police shows the moment that a desperate Monaghan attempts to crawl away to safety, with a deathly red stain seeping across his otherwise pristine white T-shirt. Police in Spain are reportedly aware of the suspected gunman's identity but have not confirmed which crew ordered the hit. One theory is that the execution stemmed from an unpaid debt involving a rival Spanish cartel with links to England. Despite speculation linking the murders to ongoing feuds in Scotland, including the decades-long war between the Lyons and Daniels gangs, Police Scotland has denied any intelligence suggesting the killings were ordered from the UK. 'There is currently no evidence connecting the Fuengirola shootings to recent violence in Scotland,' a spokesperson said. 'We are assisting Spanish authorities as required.' Monaghan, once cleared in the high-profile 2010 murder of Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll in Glasgow, had previously survived a 2017 assassination attempt while dropping off his child at school. Former Scottish crime chief Graeme Pearson said Monaghan's ability to survive and stay one step ahead of rivals had cemented his status in the gangland world. ''His group became known for extreme violence. Being acquitted from a murder trial through lack of evidence proved his bottle to the gang. 'Then he was shot and survived. It was part of his criminal CV. But people like Monaghan make enemies everywhere.' Both Monaghan and Lyons were acquitted in a 2017 street assault case and had since relocated to Spain — a region increasingly dominated by organised crime groups from across Europe. The murders come amid rising gangland violence on the Costa del Sol, with at least four shootings reported in April alone. Just weeks ago, a British man from Liverpool was shot dead in nearby Calahonda in another suspected drug feud. Meanwhile, the long-running war between the Lyons and Daniels clans in Glasgow and Edinburgh continues, with firebombings and brutal beatings allegedly linked to stolen cocaine shipments worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Some reports suggest the Lyons may have aligned with Dubai-based kingpin Ross 'Miami' McGill, an alleged rival of Daniels associate Mark Richardson. Social media videos have even surfaced showing apparent revenge attacks fuelling fears of further bloodshed. But sources close to the Monaghan family insist the Daniels were not responsible for last week's killings, suggesting a new, more sinister force may be emerging within Spain's lucrative underworld. The brutal daylight assassinations have also sparked outrage among local residents. British expats in Fuengirola held a protest on Friday, demanding a crackdown on organised crime and greater police presence on the streets. Monaghan's bar, which markets itself as a 'family-friendly sports bar' opposite one of the town's most popular beaches, remains closed as the investigation continues.
