September 2015 Ukip holds its annual conference at Doncaster racecourse. Alexander Udod, a Russian diplomat, is there.

October 10, 2015 Udod contacts Arron Banks and says Alexander Yakovenko, the Russian ambassador, “would be happy to invite you for lunch at his residence”. Banks replies he will be “delighted” to go.

November 6, 2015 Banks and his aide Andy Wigmore meet the ambassador at his residence in Kensington Palace Gardens in London. They have a “six-hour boozy lunch” and discuss Brexit, Donald Trump and a possible business deal for Banks involving Russian goldmines.

Golden opportunity

November 17, 2015 Banks meets the Russian ambassador for tea to discuss the potential goldmine deal. It involves consolidating Russian mines into one entity using a quoted UK company. Banks is introduced