Bahrain Mirror: The secret wealth and dealings of world leaders, politicians and billionaires have been exposed in one of the biggest leaks of financial documents.

Documents named Pandora's documents revealed that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife had bought an $8.8 million (7.6 million euro) building from the family of Bahrain's Minister of Commerce and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid Al-Zayani. 

The documents showed how Tony Blair and his wife avoided paying £312,000 in stamp duty when they bought the property in London.

BBC website said that there is no suggestion in the Pandora Papers that Tony and Cherie Blair were hiding their wealth. But documents show why stamp duty was not payable when the couple bought a £6.45m property.

Blair and his barrister wife Cherie acquired the building in Marylebone, central London, in July 2017 by buying the offshore company that owned it. The townhouse in Marylebone, central London, is now home to Mrs. Blair's legal consultancy, which advises governments around the world, as well as her foundation for women.

Al-Zayani family, the actual owner of the property, has a considerable political influence in Bahrain. This deal may shed light on part of what the Government of Bahrain is doing through its arms by buying the loyalty of a large number of political leaders in Western societies, particularly in Britain.

Arabic Version