The much-discussed ruler of Dubai owns an 'empire' in Britain, a land that appears to exceed 40,000 hectares (100,000 hectares), making it one of the country's largest owners, according to a Guardian analysis.
 
The Guardian has revealed these private companies belonging to Sheikh Mohammad, who is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.
 
The exact size of his British land is not known because most of the properties associated with it are owned through 'ghost' companies. This raises well-known questions about the secret nature of large amounts of property in Britain, and whether it is structured in ways to avoid paying taxes in the UK when properties are sold.


 
A lawyer for Mohammad declined to confirm any details of the properties or companies that own them, saying his financial affairs are private and confidential. The lawyer denied, however, that the properties owned by Sheikh Mohammed were bought by ‘ghost’ companies, or that they were structured to evade taxes in the UK.

Details of Sheikh Mohammed's property holdings also speak to his power and influence in the UK.