The Order distributed on Mr Bailey’s recommendation is headed by a junior prince of the Bourbon family – only distantly connected with the two reigning lines of the Bourbon family (Spain and Luxembourg), neither of which recognise his claims. The claims of the father of this junior prince (whom the younger has now succeeded) were decisively rejected by five of the highest institutions of the Spanish state, in a formal investigation; these bodies included the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs and the Council of State. Unfortunately those British citizens who have accepted Mr Bailey’s Order (and “revived” Order of Francis I, given on his recommendation for purported contributions to “interfaith” relations), are probably completely unaware of this. The worthless Order of Francis I was originally a state merit Order of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, given for services to industry, agriculture, science, the military, etc and never conceived as a reward for interfaith activities – needless to say, this Order ceased to exist along with the kingdom, in 1860. The “revival” of the Order of Francis I has been a useful tool as the Constantinian Order can only be given to Catholics in good standing (who do not include some of the politicians enrolled in Mr Bailey’s Order) and, astonishingly, it has been accepted by a number of prominent British citizens who do not seem to have wondered why they were offered the decorations of a state which has not existed for almost 150 years.

Despite being restricted to Catholics in good standing, the Constantinian Order’s “Benemerenti Medal” was given (along with the grand cross of Francis I) to president Bashar al-Assad of Syria and the president of the Yemen, while the grand cross of the Constantinian Order was also given to the president of Lebanon as well as several South American presidents. Mr Bailey then received, in return (although allegedly to recognize his inter faith activities), high decorations from these states, whose award he then announced in the Times and Telegraph newspapers. All this, unfortunately, has damaged the otherwise good name of the legitimate Constantinian Order (see http://www.constantinianorder.org)

This is an interesting piece but you omit some of the juiciest titbits about this organisation. In the mid 1990s their West Africa programme came a cropper when corrupt staff and/or partners became involved in trafficking diamonds in Sierra Leone (sometehing they were supposed to be working against). Then somewhat related to this I have heard that SIS put them under observation for a time – and let them know about it, following allegations made about UK Government actions in West Africa.

More recently there was a case of misuse of funds in Nepal (to the tune of about 18,000 GBP so the word goes), which was spent on entertainment by an enterprising staff member, much to the chagrin of the Dutch Government.

There’s more, e.g. womanising and scheming of former ‘General Secrettary’ Kevin Clements. Info on most of the above can be found in copies of an internal samizdat newsletter produced by junior staff up until some years ago (such was the tyrannical nature of management).

I will declare an interest at this point – for some years I have worked with other non-governmental organisations and come up against International Alert. They have always seemed to me a tainted organisation and staff conduct has often left a bad taste, but I would not deny that a rivalry has existed between us. Anyway, if you’re interested I can perhaps supply contact details for former staff.

Yours,

L Thapa

Best – SC