Vincent Tchenguiz has filed papers in an estimated £2.2bn damages claim at the commercial court.
Tchenguiz is suing various parties that he alleges conspired to instigate, or were involved in, the failed investigation by the Serious Fraud Office into himself, the Consensus Business Group and the Tchenguiz Family Trust.
The claim names the defendants as accountancy firm Grant Thornton UK and its partners Stephen John Akers and Hossein Hamedani; Kaupthing Bank HF and Icelandic lawyer Johannes Runar Johannsson, who was a member of Kaupthing’s resolution committee and is currently a member of its winding up committee.
It is alleged that the three individuals conspired to put Tchenguiz and the relevant family trust companies under acute commercial and financial pressure to help settle a £1.6bn commercial court claim brought against Icelandic bank Kaupthing.
The claim also alleges that they effectively controlled the SFO investigation which led to search warrants being issued on 7 March 2011 against Vincent Tchenguiz and his arrest. He was released without charge.
The claim alleges that Grant Thornton and Kaupthing are liable for their actions.
Tchenguiz is seeking aggravated and exemplary damages for claims including conspiracy by unlawful means and malicious prosecution.
He said: “What has emerged is a scandal of international proportions and a conspiracy that has drawn in both the Icelandic and British governments and which has caused me substantial harm.”
The claims are being vigorously defended.
jess.harrold@estatesgazette.com
