The Casino de Montbenon in Lausanne, Switzerland would make a perfect setting for a James Bond film. Located in magnificent gardens and overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps, criminals and villains could make their entry or escape by motorboat or helicopter. The building itself is as beautiful as it is ornate, with the slight twist that it has never actually housed a gaming room.
As I sat recently in its vast dining room I could not help but feel as if a certain story was unfolding around me – no ropes suddenly descending from the ceiling or gun shots echoing across the room – but the ulterior motive for inviting me to such an impressive arena suddenly becoming clear.
As we sat in a secluded corner of the restaurant the conversation suddenly died away and my host lent forward slowly and said, “tell me this Matthew – and I hope you won’t mind me asking – but when we watch what’s happening in the United Kingdom we cannot help but think, ‘What the fuck is going on?’ Can you please explain?”
