A Conservative frontbencher is facing criticism for representing Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich as his lawyer. The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign (USC) has expressed concern over Shadow Attorney General Lord David Wolfson’s involvement. The UK government is seeking more than £2.5 billion from Abramovich to aid Ukraine.
Abramovich is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the Jersey government regarding the origin of over £5.3 billion in assets linked to him. Recently, Keir Starmer issued a warning to Abramovich, demanding the transfer of proceeds from the Chelsea sale or face legal action.
Lord Wolfson has been retained in the Jersey case on behalf of Abramovich, who insists that the asset transfer for Ukraine should wait until the Jersey proceedings are resolved. The USC raised doubts about Wolfson’s actions, suggesting a potential shift in Conservative policies towards Russia in the future.
The USC has urged the government to introduce urgent laws preventing sanctioned individuals from manipulating the UK legal system to delay accountability. The focus should be on prioritizing the rights of victims of Russian aggression over the interests of oligarchs.
Following sanctions, Abramovich sold Chelsea FC in 2022 with the proceeds intended for humanitarian efforts related to the Ukraine conflict. However, the funds are currently frozen due to disagreements between Abramovich’s legal team and the government on how they should be used.
In a letter to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Labour Justice Minister Jake Richards highlighted concerns about Lord Wolfson’s dual role as a paid representative of Abramovich and a member of the Shadow Cabinet. Richards emphasized the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest in such matters.
The Tories defended Lord Wolfson, stating that he is not involved in the Chelsea FC issue and dismissed Labour’s criticism as political maneuvering. They emphasized their support for Ukraine and accused Labour of hypocrisy in their attacks.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Lord Wolfson’s representation of Abramovich raises ethical and political questions, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in legal and political spheres.