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The Big Bugger at Buck HouseSome very murky details are emerging about surveillance techniques used on and by the whole Royal Family. They concern a low profile bugging expert, a Greek called Alexis Mardas, who runs a specialist firm called ALCOM, which has supervised listening in and recording devices for most of the world's secret services, including MI6 and Mossad.His Greek family were friends of Prince Philip's family and at first the connection was purely social, but Mardas, a multi-millionaire, was soon hob-nobbing with the Queen and her family at Windsor. He was asked by the Queen to advise on anti-surveillance devices in all the Royal residences. The Queen had been told to 'de-bug' all her homes. But did he, while he was at it, actually install his own secret bugs?
Open DoorsHe had exclusive access to every room in every building owned by the Queen, including all of the 250-odd grace and favour dwellings.If he had, for example, wanted to keep sweet with the espionage agencies he merely had to use the search as a cover-up to plant his own devices. Former employees of Alcom testify that when it came to surveillance, Mardas was capable of anything for the right price. But they are also sure it was Mardas who has advised BOTH Charles and Diana on how to bug the other's calls. Because of this it was feasible that at some stage both sides may leak embarrassing conversations about the other. Neither, of course, knowing Mardas was doing the same thing with both the former spouses.
At Her Majesty's PleasureHot on the tail of MP's demanding the Queen publishes her household accounts, we can reveal a hidden perk which even then would never show on the accounts. The Queen is able to avail herself of a captive workforce serving at various establishments at her majesty's pleasure. Some workshops in British prisons are devoted to maintaining the tools of her lifestyle.Wayland Prison has a repairs and maintenance workshop devoted to the Royal lawnmowers. Apparently the grounds surrounding the royal residences, and the other 272 grace and favour dwellings, require hundreds of lawnmowers to keep them in trim. At any given time there are at least ten being maintained at Wayland.
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