A former royal protection officer accused of a £3m betting and property fraud has said police covered up evidence showing he was not a criminal.

Paul Page, who allegedly cheated investors out of life savings, made the allegations while giving evidence in his defence at Southwark Crown Court.

Mr Page, 38, of Grays, Essex, denies fraudulent trading and intimidation.

He is accused of taking from colleagues and others to set up a false investment scheme to finance a life of luxury.

Gamblers in Moscow and other major Russian cities are placing their last bets ahead of a government ban on casinos and gaming halls.

A new law comes into effect at midnight, confining gambling to four regions far from the capital.

It bans gambling on the internet and at airports, supermarkets and other sites.

But critics say the move will leave more than 300,000 people without jobs and push the industry underground, amid a continuing economic crisis in Russia.

An ex-royal protection officer accused of a £3m betting and property scam has claimed colleagues played poker and traded porn while at Buckingham Palace.

Paul Page, who allegedly cheated investors out of life savings, made the claims while giving evidence in his defence at Southwark Crown Court.

Mr Page, 38, of Grays, Essex, denies fraudulent trading and intimidation.

He is accused of taking from colleagues and others to set up a false investment scheme to finance a life of luxury.