LABOUR MP Chris Bryant has accused the UK Government of inaction for not sanctioning Chelsea FC owner, Roman Abramovich, while referencing a leaked government document.
The document allegedly states that Abramovich has been a person of interest to the Home Office since 2019 due to “his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices".
The document reportedly gives an example of Abramovich “admitting in court proceedings that he paid for political influence”.
Bryant said: “That's nearly three years ago, and yet remarkably little has been done in relation.
"Surely Mr Abramovich should no longer be able to own a football club in this country? Surely, we should be looking at seizing some of his assets, including his £152 million home?
“And making sure that other people who've had tier one visas like this are not engaged in malign activity in the UK.”
Commons Leader, Mark Spencer, replied: “He will know under the sanctions passed in the House this week there is the opportunity for the Government to take very strong action against high-profile Russian individuals who are of concern.
“He will be aware that the Home Secretary will be at this despatch box next Monday for Home Office questions and I am sure he will be able to challenge her directly.”
In response to Bryant’s statement, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I couldn’t comment on individuals in that way or on leaked documents of that type.”
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According to Bryant, the three-year-old document stated: “HMG is focused on ensuring individuals linked to illicit finance and malign activity are unable to base themselves in the UK and will use the relevant tools at its disposal, including immigration powers to prevent this.”
Abramovich had issues around his entrepreneurial visa in 2018.
In October 2021, the businessman’s spokesperson confirmed that he travelled to London as an Israeli citizen, therefore entering the United Kingdom without the need for a visa.
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On Wednesday, Boris Johnson issued a correction after he wrongly claimed that Abramovich was the subject of targeted sanctions by the UK Government when he confused sanctions with the 2018 visa incident.
The Prime Minister tabled a written ministerial statement in the House of Commons to clarify that sanctions had not been imposed on the Russian billionaire businessman.
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