RUSSIA hasn't lacked for immodest public performances on the part of its prime minister, Vladimir Putin. In his drive to portray himself as Russia's national leader since stepping down as president more than two years ago, he has been photographed riding horseback bare-chested, fitting a satellite transmitter to a (sedated) tiger and riding in military planes.

But the spectacle of his singing in English was among the most wince-inducing. His wooden, heavily accented rendition of "Blueberry Hill" at a gala concert in December was like a scene from a comedy: uncharacteristically nervous ex-KGB officer tries, and fails, to project a softer side.

Surprisingly, Mr Putin's wasn't the most appalling display that evening. That was provided by the many Hollywood celebrities in attendance. Kevin Costner, Gerard Depardieu and Goldie Hawn, among others, laughed, clapped and sang along in support of the authoritarian ruler. Sharon Stone flashed a victory sign amid the hearty applause.

The concert was billed as a charity event to raise money for ill children. But it has ended up reinforcing Russia's image as one of the world's premier kleptocracies. Last week, after the mother of an ailing child made enquiries, it emerged that the funds raised during the concert never reached the hospitals to which it had been promised.

"A very strange situation has arisen," the mother wrote in an open letter. "Before and after the concert there was talk about handing over funds, and now it appears that no one had promised anything."

Mr Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the prime minister was only a guest at the concert, and was not involved in the fundraising. He declined to say who was responsible for handling the proceeds, but assured that the government is satisfied the "work is being carried out." He later provided a list of three hospitals in Moscow and St Petersburg he said would receive medical equipment bought with proceeds from the concert.

But it is unclear who has the money and how it will reach the hospitals. A spokeswoman for the Federation Foundation, the charity that organised the event, said it was only involved in planning the concert and had nothing to do with the donated funds. At the same time, a former musician named Vladimir Kiselyov, believed to have responsible for spearheading the event, warned reporters to mind their business and "not to look for anyone."

"No one will tell you anything," he said.