Kingston RLBC has ended negotiations with controversial Iraqi-born billionaire Nadhmi Auchi over the funding of a new local theatre. Talks with the businessman, convicted by a Paris court for his involvement in a corruption scandal surrounding former French oil company Elf, broke down and ended council hopes he would invest £3m. The authority will now invest a further £3.4m in the project to get the theatre finished. Mr Auchi received a 15-month suspended sentence and a £1.4m fine two years ago for his involvement in the Elf scandal. He is now appealing.
