The reference to “debtors” was presumably intended to refer back to the “loans to few
persons etc” mentioned by Bane in the preceding sentence.
41.
On 22 June Mr Trower replied, thanking Bane for his letter of 18 June and saying he
had placed a copy of it with the will so that the executors would know where first to
turn in the administration of the estate. He continued:
“Your existing temporary Will is perfectly good on the basis
that you simply want to leave your money to the Conservative
Party but as I understand it you want to do something more
sophisticated than that and to create a trust to advance certain
ideals which are personified by Mrs Thatcher and which, in
your view, have brought about the current success of the
Conservative Party and its policies. As I explained English law
does not conveniently permit a trust for this sort of thing but I
see no reason why you should not create a non-profit making
company which would have the advancement of these ideals as
one of its principal objects. This will of course need careful
drafting to meet your particular requirements and the draft
memorandum of association which I gave you was merely by
way of example of what could be done.
Having established a company you could make a simple will
very much on the lines of the temporary will I have made you,
leaving your property to the company rather than the [CPA].
During your lifetime the company could remain dormant or, if
you so desired, be activated so that there was something in
existence on your death which had already proved itself.
When you have had the opportunity of considering the draft
memorandum of association and what I have written above, it
might be useful if we met again.”
42.
On 14 October 1988 Mr G M Tisdall of Oppenheimers wrote to Bane informing him
that he and most of the partners of Oppenheimers were joining Denton Hall Burgin &
Warrens, and taking most of their associates and staff with them. This news prompted
Bane to write in characteristically extravagant terms to his accountant (Mr Peter
Evans of Thomas & Howe) and to Mr Trower, the latter of whom received this letter
dated 21 October:
“I enclose a photocopy of the letter I received from “The
Mutiny Partners on (the ship called) Oppenheimers”.
It seems to me, that my previous 24 years’ solicitors … are
disintegrating. I wonder – Why??? They used to be one of the
most prominent Company in the City of London.
Distinguished member of the Law Society. Even, if I
remember correctly, they divorced Richard Burton from E.
Taylor.