Brian Basham

British public relations consultant and businessman

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Brian Basham
Born
Died
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Occupation	Public relations consultant, businessman, journalist
Known for	Financial PR, involvement in British Airways 'dirty tricks' campaign, spokesperson for the Maxwell family
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Brian Basham (born 1943 or 1944) is a British public relations consultant, businessman, and former financial journalist. He founded the corporate communications firm Broad Street Group in 1976, which he later floated on the stock market, and has served as chairman of Equity Development since 1997. Basham gained notoriety for his role in the British Airways 'dirty tricks' campaign against Virgin Atlantic in the early 1990s, leading to libel actions. He has long-standing ties to the Maxwell family, serving as a PR advisor to Robert Maxwell in the 1980s and later as a spokesperson and supporter for Ghislaine Maxwell during her legal battles.

Basham's career spans financial journalism, public relations, and business ventures in healthcare and property. Known for aggressive PR tactics and high-profile clients including Lord Hanson, Mohamed Al-Fayed, and Robert Maxwell, he has been described as a "streetfighter" in the industry. His involvement with the Maxwell family dates back to the early 1980s, evolving from professional advisory roles to personal support amid scandals. Basham has also contributed to reports on financial markets and written on corporate governance issues.

Early career

Basham began his professional life as a financial journalist, working for publications such as the Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph, and The Times. During this period, he conducted investigations into connections between organised crime and the City of London, sometimes operating undercover as a fund manager. He doorstepped Robert Maxwell for The Daily Telegraph, marking the beginning of their association.

In 1972, Basham transitioned into public relations by joining John Addey Associates.

Broad Street Group

In 1976, Basham founded the PR firm Broad Street Group, hiring John Coyle as his first employee. Together, they built it into a £15 million public company known for high-profile and aggressive PR campaigns. Basham's approach involved detailed investigations of opponents' strengths and weaknesses, which he termed "getting back to the brick-work". The firm attracted attention for its executives' lavish lifestyle, including Savile Row suits, car phones, and a permanent table at the Savoy.

During the 1980s, Broad Street served major clients, including British Airways, Lord Hanson, Mohamed Al-Fayed, and Robert Maxwell. Basham was on retainer from several FTSE companies and merchant banks, often involved in takeover battles. Alan Parker, founder of Brunswick Group, began his PR career at Broad Street, working there for six years.

The group was floated on the stock market, marking a significant milestone in Basham's career.

Relationship with the Maxwell family

Basham's association with the Maxwell family began in the early 1980s. He first met Robert Maxwell professionally through merchant bank introductions for PR services during takeover fights. On Boxing Day 1981, Basham drove from his parents' home in Hastings to meet Maxwell at a formal family lunch at Headington Hill Hall, where he encountered the entire family, including Maxwell's sons and daughters such as Ghislaine Maxwell.

Throughout the 1980s, Maxwell was a client of Basham's, with Basham providing PR consultancy to Maxwell's business empire, including the Mirror Group Newspapers. Basham worked alongside figures like Peter Mandelson, who served as a consultant at Mirror Group headquarters from the late 1980s until Maxwell's death in 1991.

Following Robert Maxwell's death on 5 November 1991 and the subsequent revelation of massive pension fund fraud in his companies, Basham maintained ties with the family. He became a close friend and advisor, particularly to Ghislaine Maxwell.

In the 2010s and 2020s, Basham emerged as a vocal spokesperson for Ghislaine Maxwell amid her association with Jeffrey Epstein and subsequent legal troubles. In 2020, following her arrest by the FBI on 2 July, Basham volunteered his PR services to the family pro bono, criticising the authorities' handling as "vindictive and cruel". He advocated for her release on bail, alleging mistreatment in jail, including weight loss, isolation, and lack of vegan food, which he claimed breached her rights.

In 2021, Basham facilitated the sale of Ghislaine Maxwell's London home on Kinnerton Street, Belgravia, to fund her legal defence in the Epstein-related sex trafficking case. He described the property as her "refuge" and noted her sadness at parting with it.

During Maxwell's 2021 trial, Basham criticised media bias and supported investigative efforts to discredit accuser Virginia Giuffre. He funded journalist Jay Beecher with approximately £80,000 to probe Giuffre's allegations, leading to a book aimed at undermining her credibility. Basham denied being an official spokesperson but confirmed his details appeared on Maxwell's website, RealGhislaine.com.

Basham has publicly defended associates of the Maxwells, including Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in media appearances, clashing with journalists over Epstein-related photographs and allegations. He denied stories of Robert Maxwell's abuse of Ghislaine, ridiculing such claims.

In 2023, the Maxwell family issued a statement via Basham on Ghislaine's appeal launch.

Warwick Corporate and BA 'dirty tricks'

In 1991, Basham established Warwick Corporate, a new PR consultancy. One of its clients was British Airways (BA), for whom he had consulted since the mid-1980s. BA faced accusations from Richard Branson of orchestrating a 'dirty tricks' smear campaign against Virgin Atlantic. Branson alleged Basham undermined his reputation in the City and press.

The dispute led to libel suits: Branson sued BA, which countersued. In January 1993, BA settled, paying Branson £610,000 plus costs and issuing an apology. Basham was reportedly scapegoated by BA.

In 1994, Basham sued over his portrayal in Martyn Gregory's book Dirty Tricks, claiming it depicted him as a "professional liar". He won £20,000 in damages plus costs in 1996.

Later business ventures

Basham founded Primrose Care, a healthcare business, which he sold to BUPA.

In 1997, he founded Equity Development, a corporate services and research house, serving as chairman.

From September 2006 to September 2008, Basham was non-executive director and chairman of White Star Property Holdings Plc, resigning to pursue other interests.

In 2017, at age 73, Basham announced plans to run the London Marathon in 2018 as "an act of defiance against mortality".

Other affiliations and activities

Basham has been linked to Neil Hamilton, the former Tory MP.

In 1997, he instigated the 1998 Treasury Report on the Smaller Quoted Company Market and co-authored Tomorrow's Giants with former Treasury official Craig Pickering.

Basham testified in the 2023 civil trial involving the Duke of Sussex and Mirror Group Newspapers, accusing former chairman David Grigson of covering up unlawful information gathering.

He has written on corporate psychopaths and governance issues.

See also

• Ghislaine Maxwell
• Robert Maxwell
• British Airways
• Virgin Atlantic

External links

• Equity Development official website
• RealGhislaine.com (Maxwell family website listing Basham's contact)