A prominent Conservative member, Kemi Badenoch, is under scrutiny for allegedly prioritizing her representation of Roman Abramovich over providing legal counsel on matters concerning Russia and Ukraine. Calls have been made for the dismissal of shadow attorney general Lord Wolfson after revelations that he was handling a legal case for the oligarch in Jersey. The UK government has urged Abramovich, the former Chelsea FC owner, to release £2.5 billion in frozen assets to aid in the reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.
During a session of Prime Minister’s Questions, Keir Starmer criticized Badenoch for what he perceived as a lack of sound judgment and leadership. Following the backlash, the Conservative party clarified that Lord Wolfson had withdrawn from advising on issues related to Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking at a demonstration outside the Conservative headquarters organized by the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, Labour MP Joe Powell condemned the conflict of interest involving Badenoch’s legal advisor and Abramovich. The Conservative Party’s association with this situation was deemed unsustainable by Powell. Lord Wolfson is involved in Abramovich’s legal dispute with the Jersey government over assets worth over £5.3 billion held there.
Abramovich insists that the transfer of assets for Ukraine’s benefit must await the conclusion of the Jersey proceedings. In a heated exchange during PMQs, Starmer called for acknowledgment of the conflict of interest in retaining Lord Wolfson in the shadow cabinet.
He stated in the House of Commons, “While lawyers have diverse clients, the question remains whether the shadow attorney general can ethically serve in the shadow cabinet while supporting sanctions against the very client she represents.” With Chelsea FC funds earmarked for Ukraine, Starmer questioned Badenoch’s stance on the matter.
Abramovich’s sale of the club in 2022 following UK sanctions related to his alleged ties to Vladimir Putin has led to the freezing of proceeds. Efforts are underway to release these funds for humanitarian causes linked to the conflict in Ukraine, but legal disputes persist.
Starmer previously warned Abramovich of potential legal action if the funds from the Chelsea sale are not released. A spokesperson for Badenoch clarified that Lord Wolfson is not a member of the shadow cabinet and that the Jersey case does not impact the funds destined for Ukraine. Lord Wolfson has abstained from providing legal advice on Ukraine and Russia, with others in the shadow cabinet, such as Helen Grant and Robert Jenrick, available for counsel on these matters.