blackmail

Many initially suspected Russian involvement and an attempt by Moscow to blackmail Europe by restricting its energy supplies.

Then they’d “discover” the evidence and use it to blackmail the visitors.

The Metropolitan police, who are investigating, said a 31-year-old man was arrested on 8 September on suspicion of possession of firearms with intent, blackmail and driving without a licence.

“We are not susceptible to any blackmail from Venezuela for political support,” she said in a televised interview last week.

Another man is also alleged to have been blackmailed and threatened by the same individual during the incident in question.