Party-animal British aide to ousted Malaysian prime minister is hunted over link to former leader

A British man who lived a lavish life in Kuala Lumpar has ‘disappeared’ after his boss, the former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, was toppled as the nation’s leader.

Anti-corruption officials are now hunting for British PR consultant Paul Stadlen, 39, who lived in a 38-storey building with a ‘sky gym’ and swimming pool. While there is no suggestion of criminality on Mr Stadlen’s behalf, the public relations chief is being tracked down to help with inquiries.

Mr Razak and his wife now face charges of financial crimes over an alleged multi-billion-dollar financial fraud. 

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) appealed on Thursday for help finding the man who controlled his media relations.

PR guru Paul Stadlen worked directly for former prime minister Najib Razak and was ‘devoted to him’ Malaysian media said

Mr Stadlen could be a key witness in the high-profile case, the MACC said.

Until election day, Stadlen worked as a spokesman for the prime minister, as an independent consultant.

It is now believed he fled the country and may have flown to London, before heading elsewhere.

Mr Stadlen lived in the super luxury Loft Sentral Condominium in the city centre and was a regular on the city’s party scene.

The Sarawak Report reported, an anonymous source as saying: ‘Stadlen has a terrible party lifestyle.

‘It’s incredible he gets away with it, working for a Muslim head of Government. He’s always out partying in bars, clubs, getting dead drunk.’

The report was accompanied by pictures of Mr Stadlen with scantily clad women in bunny dress.

Stadlen was extremely close to his boss despite Najib attempting to promote himself on his strict Islamic beliefs.

Mr Najib faces multiple charges of money-laundering and criminal breach of trust.

The investigation centres on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB ) fund founded by the former prime minister. It is estimated $4.5bn was stolen from the fund.

The Malaysian authorities are hunting for Mr Stadlen in relation to the alleged fraud although it is claimed he is not accused of criminal wrongdoing 

The Malaysian authorities are hunting for Mr Stadlen in relation to the alleged fraud although it is claimed he is not accused of criminal wrongdoing 

Mr Stalden began to work for the prime minister after meeting him when working for an international firm in the country from 2009. After the firm lost their contract over a PR scandal Mr Stadlen stayed on, it is reported.

Mr Stadlen’s late father was a veteran BBC journalist, Eric Stadlen, who trained the likes of Jeremy Paxman.

LBC presenter Matthew Stadlen is related to the missing man, as well as Silicon Valley entrepreneur Tommy Stadlen.

Other relatives include high court judge Sire Nicholas Stadlen and former senior civil servant Godfrey Stadlen.

Mr Stadlen himself worked for a while in journalism before joining PR firm APCO worldwide.

His acquaintances called him ‘ruthless’ in supporting Najib and said he was ‘devoted’ to his boss.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk