Shadow attorney general will not advise Kemi Badenoch on Ukraine over Roman Abramovich link

"The shadow attorney general, David Wolfson, has recused himself from giving advice to Kemi Badenoch on Ukraine and Russia because he is representing the sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in a court case, the Conservatives have announced. This would prevent him from offering advice on the possible deployment of UK troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia."

"Wolfson, who is a senior KC and a Tory peer, is part of the legal team representing Abramovich as he attempts to recover billions in frozen assets he owns in the Channel Islands. Speaking at prime minister's questions on Wednesday, Keir Starmer criticised Wolfson's role, telling Badenoch: How can someone sit in her shadow cabinet, advising someone trying to escape sanctions, and pretend that their policy is to support us on sanctions?"

"Asked about this, Badenoch's spokesperson said Wolfson did not sit in the shadow cabinet, and that because Jersey was a different legal jurisdiction the case had no bearing on the release of 2.5bn from Abramovich's sale of Chelsea football club, which the UK government wants to use to help rebuild Ukraine. Wolfson has recused himself from legal advice on Ukraine and Russia, [which] as you know is standard practice, the spokesperson said, saying the Conservative leader was delighted with Lord Wolfson's performance in his role."

David Wolfson recused himself from advising Kemi Badenoch on Ukraine and Russia because he represents sanctioned oligarch Roman Abramovich in a court case. The recusal prevents Wolfson from offering advice on the possible deployment of UK troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. Wolfson is a senior KC and a Tory peer on Abramovich's legal team as the oligarch seeks to recover billions in frozen Channel Islands assets. Keir Starmer criticised Wolfson's role, questioning the integrity of sanctions policy. Badenoch's spokesperson said Jersey's separate jurisdiction made the case irrelevant to UK asset release, called the recusal standard practice, and said other shadow ministers could provide legal advice.

Read at www.theguardian.com