Sir Samuel Brittan's 'Trusted Friend' Denies Taking £90,000-Plus From The Alzheimer-Sufferer

A ‘trusted friend’ and assistant to veteran business journalist Sir Samuel Brittan, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to taking approximately £90,000 from the Alzheimer-sufferer. 

Michelle Braithwaite, 47, of

Whitstable House, Silchester Road, North Kensington, will return to Inner London Crown Court for a trial on June 11.

Sir Samuel, 83, is the elder brother of the late Sir Leon Brittan, who died in January, 2015 aged seventy-five and was the former Home Secretary to Margaret Thatcher.

He was the first economics correspondent for the Financial Times, where he still writes a column and was the economics editor at The Observer.

Cambridge graduate Sir Samuel is also a member of the Academic Advisory Council of the Global Warming Policy Foundation. 

Today prosecutor Mr. John Cammegh told the court: “Sir Samuel was diagnosed with early signs of Alzheimer’s on December 20, 2016.”

There was a recent doctor’s report. “The GP noted no signs of deterioration and he was still taking medication.” 

Braithwaite pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position between August 1, 2016 and April 30, in that as a trusted friend and helper she withdrew unauthorised sums of money from Sir Samuel’s Coutts & Co. bank account.

She also faces another count of fraud by false representation on dates between September 1, 2016 and March 31, last year, that she had permission to use Sir Samuel’s American Express card.

Braithwaite also denied that on October 17, 2016 she dishonestly made a false representation in a false document that she had third-party authorisation to use Sir Samuel’s American Express card.

Braithwaite also denied stealing money from from Sir Samuel between August 1, 2016 and April 13, last year.

Judge Jeremy Donne QC set a five-day trial, announcing: “The financial transactions are not going to be disputed, it is what lies behind them.

“The case is she took the money and used these cards either with claim of right or permission.”

Sir Samuel may need the assistance of an intermediary if giving evidence via a video link. “That will be inevitable if Sir Samuel gives evidence,” said Mr. Cammegh.

Braithwaite’s lawyer Mr. Dale Beeson said the trial would take longer than usual. “There is a complainant (Sir Samuel) with a vulnerability issue.”