Roman Abramovich, the Russian owner of Chelsea FC, should be banned from owning a football team in the UK because of links to the Russian corruption, MPs have heard.
Speaking in the House of Commons during Business Questions, Labour MP Chris Bryant read extracts from leaked Home Office documents which outlined concerns about the billionaire’s links to the Russian state.
The documents, Mr Bryant told MPs, revealed Mr Abramovich was in 2019 a person “of interest to Her Majesty’s Government” due to these connections and “public association with corrupt activity”.
He was told he should challenge Home Secretary, Priti Patel, on the matter of revoking visas – with Commons Leader Mark Spencer saying the Government can “take very strong action against high-profile Russian individuals”.
Mr Bryant said during Business Questions: “I have got hold of a leaked document from 2019 from the Home Office which says in relation to Mr Abramovich – ‘As part of HMG’s Russia strategy aimed at targeting illicit finance and malign activity, Abramovich remains of interest to HMG due to his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices’.
“An example of this is Abramovich admitting in court proceedings that he paid for political influence.
“‘Therefore 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’.
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“That is 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 have had Tier 1 Visas like this are not engaged in malign activity in the UK?”
Mr 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.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had to correct the Parliamentary record earlier in the week after he mistakenly told MPs Mr Abramovich was facing sanctions as part of the UK’s crack-down on Russian finances.
He later issued a written statement declaring he had misspoken.
“It is the position that oligarchs at the heart of Putin’s inner circle and banks which have bankrolled the Russian occupation of Crimea have been targeted by the first wave of UK sanctions in response to Russia’s further violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Mr Johnson’s statement said.
“Roman Abramovich has not been the subject of targeted measures,” he added.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/s3DdSVI
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