A Conservative frontbencher is facing criticism for his involvement as a legal representative for Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign has expressed concern over Shadow Attorney General Lord David Wolfson’s connection to Abramovich. The UK government is seeking over £2.5 billion from Abramovich to aid Ukraine.
Abramovich is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the Jersey government regarding the origin of assets totaling more than £5.3 billion held there. Recently, Keir Starmer issued a warning to Abramovich, threatening legal action if he does not surrender the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club.
Lord Wolfson has been engaged in the Jersey case on behalf of Abramovich. It is reported that Abramovich has insisted that the asset transfer to support Ukraine should wait until the Jersey proceedings are finalized.
The USC has raised doubts about a Shadow Cabinet member taking on such a case without party leadership awareness. They questioned whether the Conservatives are signaling a return to normal relations with Russia and a potential alignment with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
The group urged the government to enact urgent legislation preventing sanctioned individuals from exploiting the UK legal system to delay accountability. They emphasized prioritizing the rights of victims of Russian aggression over the privileges of oligarchs.
Abramovich sold Chelsea FC in 2022 following UK sanctions related to his alleged ties to Vladimir Putin after the Ukraine invasion. Funds intended for humanitarian purposes in connection to the Ukraine conflict are currently frozen in a UK bank account due to a standoff between Abramovich’s legal team and the government.
In a letter to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Labour Justice Minister Jake Richards highlighted the conflict of interest arising from Lord Wolfson’s representation of Abramovich in matters concerning Ukraine. He called for clarity on the Opposition’s stance regarding Abramovich’s obligation to transfer funds to aid Ukraine.
The Tories dismissed Labour’s criticisms as politically motivated, emphasizing that Lord Wolfson’s involvement pertains to ongoing legal proceedings in Jersey, not Chelsea FC. They defended Wolfson’s role as a barrister representing clients rather than causes, accusing Labour of hypocrisy and reaffirming the Conservative Party’s support for Ukraine.