More cryptocurrency arrests

The arrest and planned fraud prosecution by US authorities of collapsed cryptocurrency exchange operator Sam Bankman-Fried has sparked further enforcement action by international financial regulators.

In London overnight a man known only as Mr Monopoly was taken into custody by police acting on a warrant granted to Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). (main picture)

An FCA spokesperson said Mr Monopoly had come to the attention of investigators for his lavish lifestyle and his use of his own self-issued currency to acquire a string of prestige London properties for “just a few hundred pounds apiece”.

“He was somehow also able to establish numerous houses as well as hotels on each property,” the spokesperson said.

Following his arrest Mr Monopoly appeared in a London court and was refused bail but, after some legal argument, the presiding judge set him free after accepting his use of a “get out of jail” card.

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Former prime minister Scott Morrison says the Liberal Party’s review analysing the reasons for its comprehensive defeat at the May federal election focussed too much on his role as leader of the party and government.

The review report released this week largely blamed Mr Morrison and his leadership and decision-making style, his negative public image, and his failed tactical campaign decisions for the party’s defeat and in particular its loss of former heartland seats to “teal” independents. But Mr Morrison has publicly disagreed with the findings.

“Certainly as prime minister I carry a large share of the responsibility for the government’s fate,” Mr Morrison said.

“But the party’s review focussed far too heavily on the negatives that arose in connection with my role as prime minister.

“But it didn’t give anywhere near enough attention to the job I did as Treasurer; Minister for Health; Minister for Finance; Minister for Industry, Science, Energy and Resources;  and Minister for Home Affairs,” he said.

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Craig Kelly, the former federal Liberal Party MP who defected to become leader of Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party, has written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to ask if he could be appointed as an Australian ambassador to a foreign nation.

His request follows the appointment this week of former PM Kevin Rudd as ambassador to the USA based in Washington DC.

“If it’s good enough for a former PM to be appointed as an ambassador then a would-be PM as I was should get a gig too,” Mr Kelly said.

“I’ve written to Albo telling him that I’m more than happy to serve as ambassador in almost any overseas nation, provided I don’t need to get vaccinated to go there.”