Labour MP Chris Bryant told the House of Commons:
“Following some of the reports in The Sun and other newspapers today. I’ve got hold of a leaked document from 2019 from the Home Office, which says, in relation to Mr. Abramovich.”
“As part of HMGs Russia strategy, aimed at targeting illicit finance and malign activity, Abramovich remains of interests to HMG due to his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices. An example of this is Abramowich 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.”
“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 pound home?
“And making sure that other people who’ve had tier one visas like this are not engaged in malign activity in the UK.”
Sources close to Roman Abramovich however insist he has done nothing that would make him liable to sanctions but even were it to happen, it is understood to be unlikely there would be any impact on Chelsea.
