Branson [antikvár]

Preface On 16 December 1998, Sir Richard Branson was preparing to set ofF from Marrakesh in an attempt to become the first person to circumnavigate the world in a hot-air balloon. Over the previous days I had sought to join his party in Morocco to witness a Branson extravaganza. I was still undecided whether to write a book about Branson but expected that the experience might influence my decision. That morning, my place on Virgin's chartered jet on behalf of a national newspaper was suddenly cancelled. To my surprise, at lunchtime the same day, I received a brutal, defamatory and untrue letter from Branson, whom I had never met, faxed by his London office. Branson alleged that he had received 'a number of calls over the last six weeks from various friends and relatives who have been upset by your researchers/detectives'. He claimed that on my behalf these hired hands had 'doorstepped' a woman and uttered 'untrue accusations that her son is, in fact, my son'. Not surprisingly, he continued, that behaviour had 'caused a lot of upset to all the people concerned including the real father'. Since those same people were flying to Marrakesh for the launch of the balloon, he felt it would be 'inappropriate' for me to be present. 'To be perfectly honest,' he added, 'none of them would particularly welcome it.' Branson concluded that after the trip was completed we could discuss 'what exactly it is you are after'. I was flabbergasted by Branson's letter. I had never heard of the people he mentioned. I had not employed any detectives nor had I asked or heard of anyone doorstepping these people. In a faxed reply, I immediately protested. Three days later, I received a response. In an unexpected call to my mobile phone, an unfamiliar voice announced, 'Tom, I'm sorry about that.' 'Who is that?' I asked, puzzled. 'It's Richard,' he repHed. 'Richard who?' 'Richard Branson.'