Stolen painting turns up in law office
5 Oct 07
Da Vinci's Madonna recovered as firm insists arrested lawyer was acting properly
A Glasgow solicitor was being questioned yesterday following a police raid on the offices of HBJ Gateley Wareing which recovered the stolen Leonardo da Vinci painting Madonna with the Yarnwinder.
The painting was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle, home of the late Duke of Buccleuch, in 2003. The early 16th century masterpiece, thought to be worth at least £30 million, was recovered yesterday from the law firm's offices in West Regent Street. The theft was regarded by the FBI as one of the world's 10 most serious art crimes.
HBJ Gateley Wareing's partner Calum Jones was among those taken away by the police for questioning. Four men, one from Glasgow and three from Lancashire, are expected to appear before Dumfries Sheriff Court this morning.
The firm maintained that Mr Jones was working on a repatriation deal to recover the painting and had not been involved in any criminal activity.
The police raid was the result of a long-term international investigation involving Dumfries and Galloway Contabulary, Strathclyde Police, the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, among others.
The Duke of Buccleuch who owned the painting died last month and his title passed to his son Richard.