Keir Starmer criticized Kemi Badenoch for allowing a member of Roman Abramovich’s legal team to be part of her inner circle. The Prime Minister expressed his disapproval when it was revealed that Shadow Attorney General Lord Wolfson is representing the former Chelsea owner, who is under scrutiny for withholding £2.5 billion earmarked for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Lord Wolfson has been enlisted in Abramovich’s legal dispute with the Jersey government, investigating the origins of over £5.3 billion in assets linked to him stashed there. Abramovich contends that the funds cannot be allocated to Ukraine until the Jersey proceedings conclude.
During a tense exchange in PMQs, Starmer criticized Badenoch for lacking judgment and leadership. He highlighted the potential conflict of interest in retaining Lord Wolfson in the shadow cabinet, especially as the Tories claim to support sanctions against Abramovich.
Starmer questioned whether Badenoch’s stance aligns with diverting funds from Chelsea Football Club to Ukraine, emphasizing the shadow cabinet’s reliance on legal advice from someone representing the very individual at the center of the financial dispute.
Abramovich divested the club in 2022 following UK sanctions over his alleged ties to Vladimir Putin amid the Ukrainian conflict. The ensuing proceeds have been frozen, with the Government prepared to pursue legal action for their release.
In December, Starmer issued an ultimatum to Abramovich, warning of legal consequences if the Chelsea sale proceeds are not relinquished. A letter from Labour Justice Minister Jake Richards to Badenoch emphasized the conflict of interest posed by Lord Wolfson’s representation of Abramovich in matters affecting UK policy.
The Tories dismissed Labour’s criticism as politically motivated, asserting that Lord Wolfson is not involved in the Chelsea FC issue but rather in ongoing legal proceedings in Jersey. They criticized Labour for misapprehending barristers’ roles and urged them to desist from unwarranted attacks.
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