Keir Starmer criticized Kemi Badenoch for permitting a member of Roman Abramovich’s legal team to be part of her inner circle. The Prime Minister expressed his disapproval after it was revealed that Shadow Attorney General Lord Wolfson is representing the former Chelsea owner, who is under pressure to contribute £2.5 billion for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Lord Wolfson has been engaged in Abramovich’s legal dispute with the Jersey government, investigating the origins of over £5.3 billion in assets associated with him stored there. Abramovich has argued that the asset transfer to aid Ukraine cannot proceed until the Jersey proceedings are finalized.
During a heated exchange in the House of Commons, Starmer criticized Badenoch for lacking judgment and leadership, urging her to acknowledge the conflict of interest in retaining Lord Wolfson in the shadow cabinet. Starmer questioned whether it was appropriate for the Shadow Attorney General to advise on sending funds from Chelsea Football Club to Ukraine while representing Abramovich.
Abramovich sold the club in 2022 following sanctions imposed by the UK due to his alleged connections to Vladimir Putin amid the Ukraine conflict. The sale proceeds are frozen as the Government and Abramovich’s legal team are at odds over releasing the funds for humanitarian purposes related to the war in Ukraine.
In a recent development, Starmer issued a warning to Abramovich, threatening legal action if he does not transfer the Chelsea sale proceeds. Labour’s Justice Minister Jake Richards raised concerns about Lord Wolfson’s dual role as a paid representative of Abramovich and his advisory position in the shadow cabinet.
The Conservative party dismissed Labour’s accusations as political maneuvers, emphasizing that Lord Wolfson is not involved in matters concerning Chelsea FC. They defended Wolfson’s actions as aligned with legal proceedings in Jersey and criticized Labour for misinterpreting the role of barristers.