‘Inherent absurdity’ in Redknapp bungs claim

Defence barrister John Kelsey-Fry QC launched a fierce attack on the Crown for using a News of the World investigation as its “crucial linchpin” in the case.

“There is an inherent absurdity that shrieks out at you” in some of the allegations that Redknapp took £189,000 in bungs, he told Southwark Crown Court. In his closing speech, the barrister said the Crown was relying on “primarily despicable” evidence gathered by reporter Rob Beasley.

He said: “It is repugnant to all our basic instincts of fairness in the criminal justice process.”

Lord Macdonald QC, defence lawyer for Milan Mandaric – Redknapp’s former chairman at Portsmouth – said the prosecution was “really flailing” with “paper-thin” explanations for the payments.

The trial continues today.