Boris Johnson denies overriding spy concerns over Yevgeny Lebedev nobleman
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PM says he failed to intervene in bringing Russian-British newspaper owners to House of Lords after being warned of security risks
#BorisJohnson #deniesoverruling #spies
After intelligence agencies warned it would pose a security risk, Boris Johnson denied he had intervened to secure Yevgeny Lebedev's aristocracy, arguing that such proposals could be motivated by anti-Russian bias.
However, answering questions in a brief TV clip on Monday, the prime minister did not deny meeting the Russian-British newspaper boss at the start of the coronavirus outbreak in March 2020, just before the nobility was officially established.
Asked if he had moved beyond concerns about Lebedev's appointment as a colleague in July 2020, the prime minister said: "That is wrong.
"But what I can tell you is that Putin's agenda is trying to describe it as a fight between the West and Russia. Saying we were anti-Russian in NATO countries and European countries are now anti-Russian fits his agenda. It is very, very, very important that we send the message that we are not anti-Russian."
Keir Starmer has called on parliament's intelligence and security committee to investigate Lebedev's election to the Leds of Lords following a new report by Johnson.
Such a move "is obviously extraordinary, but it's not," Johnson said. When asked if he had met his longtime friend Lebedev in March 2020, Johnson ignored the question but did not deny it.
"It is very, very important that this does not become a general feeling that we are anti-Russian and that every Russian living in the UK, every Russian who contributes to British society should suddenly be suspect. This is in line with Putin's agenda," he said.
Johnson's spokesman said all nobility had been vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Committee (Holac), and in Lebedev's case the scrutiny was "perfect and correct".
Following earlier reports in The Guardian and Vice-Line Times, a Sunday Times article titled "Lebedev declares nobility after spies drop warnings" has rekindled about Lebedev Appointment disputes.
Johnson's role in nominating Lebedev to the nobility has come under repeated scrutiny. While Downing Street did not overturn the security warning on the nomination, sources close to the committee told the Guardian they felt "pressured" to approve his appointment at the time.
Lebedev's nomination was initially rejected by Horak in March 2020 after security concerns raised about his father, a former KGB officer. it finally passed in J
#BorisJohnson #deniesoverruling #spies
After intelligence agencies warned it would pose a security risk, Boris Johnson denied he had intervened to secure Yevgeny Lebedev's aristocracy, arguing that such proposals could be motivated by anti-Russian bias.
However, answering questions in a brief TV clip on Monday, the prime minister did not deny meeting the Russian-British newspaper boss at the start of the coronavirus outbreak in March 2020, just before the nobility was officially established.
Asked if he had moved beyond concerns about Lebedev's appointment as a colleague in July 2020, the prime minister said: "That is wrong.
"But what I can tell you is that Putin's agenda is trying to describe it as a fight between the West and Russia. Saying we were anti-Russian in NATO countries and European countries are now anti-Russian fits his agenda. It is very, very, very important that we send the message that we are not anti-Russian."
Keir Starmer has called on parliament's intelligence and security committee to investigate Lebedev's election to the Leds of Lords following a new report by Johnson.
Such a move "is obviously extraordinary, but it's not," Johnson said. When asked if he had met his longtime friend Lebedev in March 2020, Johnson ignored the question but did not deny it.
"It is very, very important that this does not become a general feeling that we are anti-Russian and that every Russian living in the UK, every Russian who contributes to British society should suddenly be suspect. This is in line with Putin's agenda," he said.
Johnson's spokesman said all nobility had been vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Committee (Holac), and in Lebedev's case the scrutiny was "perfect and correct".
Following earlier reports in The Guardian and Vice-Line Times, a Sunday Times article titled "Lebedev declares nobility after spies drop warnings" has rekindled about Lebedev Appointment disputes.
Johnson's role in nominating Lebedev to the nobility has come under repeated scrutiny. While Downing Street did not overturn the security warning on the nomination, sources close to the committee told the Guardian they felt "pressured" to approve his appointment at the time.
Lebedev's nomination was initially rejected by Horak in March 2020 after security concerns raised about his father, a former KGB officer. it finally passed in J