Lebedevs nomination was initially dismissed by Holac in March 2020 after the security services raised concerns about his father, a former KGB officer. But the motion was passed unopposed, and the government now has until 28 April to release the documents. Vetting advice on peerage for Lebedev to be published The government is once again seeking to hide in the shadows from the sunlight of scrutiny. In their confirmation letter, commission members are said to have called on Johnson to examine Russian influence in the House of Lords. Evgeny Lebedev was awarded a peerage by Boris Johnson, a close friend. MPs. UK spy agencies reframed warning about security risk of appointing media owner after Boris Johnson intervened. Labour claimed the House of Lords Appointment Committee (HOLAC) - which Lord Bew chairs - advised the PM against giving the businessman the honour. Evgeny Lebedev was made a peer in July 2020. The government will have to publish confidential information on how Evgeny Lebedev got a seat in the Lords, after a . He told MPs: "There was no pressure on this issue from No 10 or the prime minister.". 2023 BBC. With his billionaire father Alexander, Evgeny Lebedev, then just 26 and painfully shy, had spent a reported 1.3 million pounds on the bash, a good chunk more than the 1 million pounds guests. Queen 'asked to block Lebedev's peerage over security fears' 2 minutes read. He holds both Russian and British citizenship. The UK government must publish documents about the appointments process of Lord Evgeny Lebedev, the Russian-born newspaper proprietor son of a former KGB agent, after reports said he was made a. Read about our approach to external linking. Toodie on Twitter: "RT @RussInCheshire: 20. Johnson then put that agent Ministers had provided a more detailed response to the ISC following a separate request from them for information relating to any national security matters arising, he said. Government officials asked the late Queen if she would block Evgeny Lebedevs peerage because of concerns that he could be a national security risk because of his fathers links to the Putin regime, a documentary claims. Mr Johnson told reporters that the . It rather flies in the face of this accusation that somehow he is distorting British politics if he is not voting on British laws., Asked whether it was disappointing that Lebedev had barely been in the Lords, Johnsons spokesperson said: I havent asked him that specific question but many have roles outside parliament and youll be aware of the wide-ranging roles of this individual, which you are well aware of., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Lords Appointments Watchdog to Be Questioned After Lebedev Peerage "Certainly more to it than the generally accepted Putin link," Lebedev wrote. I wasnt involved in it. A government spokesperson said: "All individuals nominated for a peerage are done so in recognition of their contribution to society and all peerages are vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Commission.". The levelling up secretary, Michael Gove, has defended the Evening Standard proprietor, Evgeny Lebedev, after fresh questions were raised about the prime minister's decision to nominate him for. Boris Johnson has denied overruling security service concerns about giving the Russian-born media mogul a peerage. Subsequently, Alexander went into banking and media, buying the Independent and London Evening Standard. Evgeny is now the proprietor of the Standard, in which he wrote an open letter to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, last week saying: I plead with you to use todays negotiations to bring this terrible conflict in Ukraine to an end.. He said the prime minister stopped talking to him about the issue and got a stooge to creep into the Cabinet Office labyrinth and cut a deal. Lord Lebedev, the son of a former KGB agent, owns the Independent and London Evening Standard newspaper. The Guardian citing forthcoming documentary "Boris, the Lords & the Russian Spy: Dispatches" said Monday that . The documents relate to the decision to grant Lord Lebedev a seat in the UK Parliament. But Dominic Raab, the justice secretary, said there was a very strict and stringent process when anyone grants a peerage. The controversy around Lebedevs appointment was reignited earlier on Sunday by a prominent report in the Sunday Times headlined Lebedev got peerage after spies dropped warning, which followed previous reporting in the Guardian and Byline Times. He also works as an investor in The Independent. as the Americans would say. Keir Starmer has called for parliaments intelligence and security committee to investigate the circumstances around Lebedevs elevation to the Lords, following a fresh report Johnson had intervened. Labours deputy leader, Angela Rayner, said: This looks like a cover-up and smells like a cover-up because it is a cover-up. Earlier this week Lord Lebedev published a letter to Vladimir Putin in which he urged the Russian president to "bring this terrible conflict in Ukraine to an end". Russian-British businessman Evgeny Lebedev has denied posing a "security risk" to the UK, declaring "I am not some agent of Russia" in an article. The prime minister has allowed his friendship with the son and business partner of an ex-KGB agent to blind his primary duty to the British public to keep them safe. Look closely at his lavishly curtained four-posters or oddly instigator-lite accounts of the horrors of the war in Ukraine and you might see that they are very expensive reproductions bought-in copies of the bed one ought to have, or the opinion one ought to hold, but remodelled for his own convenience. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF. Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Morning programme, Mr Raab said: "There is a very strict and stringent process when anyone is granted a peerage". ", French minister plays down riots as violence continues, 'This was a kid': Paris suburb rocked by killing and riots. We have noticed that there is an issue with your subscription billing details. Appointments commission raised security concerns in 2020 but felt bounced into approving him because No 10 pressed for it. And according to a 2021 report by uninvited guests the Italian security services, who, it was this week revealed, were monitoring the property at the time, and had been for several years it could not be ruled out that Lebedev Sr still worked for Russian intelligence and still enjoyed the favour of Putin. Raising 75m for UK charities and spending 120m saving two great UK media titles might have had something to do with it, Lebedev told the Guardian in the autumn of 2020. Dont you think?. Evgeny Lebedev: Ministers withhold security advice over Lords seat - BBC Boris Johnson with his sister Rachel and Lord Lebedev at an Evening Standard party in 2012, Clarkson article sexist to Meghan, regulator rules, French police 'at war' and Meghan column 'sexist', Cardiff City ordered to pay Sala transfer balance, Prince Harry claims 441,000 in hacking damages, UK porn age checks raise privacy concerns, Youth worker loses high court battle with police, Dozens killed in Kenya after lorry loses control. Sir Keir Starmer has called for a senior parliamentary committee to investigate claims Boris Johnson pushed for a Russian-born businessman to get a peerage, despite security concerns. In July last year Johnson admitted he had met the Russian billionaire in April 2018 while attending a party at the restored castle in Perugia owned by Lord Evgeny Lebedev, his son. Evgeny Lebedev, owner of the Independent and the Evening Standard - and son of the former KGB spy Alexander Lebedev - has been nominated for a peerage by Boris Johnson today. If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. All rights reserved. Why Evgeny Lebedev is a headache for the Conservatives Boris Johnson's support for the Russian media mogul's peerage reflects a broader culture of carelessness, in which the Prime Minister's friends are rewarded and rules are dismissed. Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner told MPs: "It's time for the prime minister to come clean today on if, and why, he interfered with British intelligence to award a peerage to his close personal friend.". Lord Lebedev's peerage under spotlight after his lack of contribution All rights reserved. (Again, someone needs to tell him.) This is clearly a matter for national security.. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. While the confidential information on the decision has yet to be made public, Lord Bew hinted it could emerge "in the coming days". needs to tell you that it is most unbecoming to you. Downing Street nominated Lebedev, who describes himself as a British and a Russian citizen, for a life peerage in July 2020. Boris Johnson has handed peerages to his younger brother, the newspaper magnate Evgeny Lebedev and several Conservatives grandees and Brexiteers. But I do know that it was applied very rigorously in this case., Raab accused Starmer of exaggerating: He doesnt have any evidence that theres any impropriety. Johnsons spokesperson said all peerages were vetted by the House of Lords appointments commission (Holac) and that in the case of Lebedev this was done entirely properly and correctly. Senior Tory MP criticises Boris Johnson over Lebedev peerage Lord Lebedev is a longstanding friend of the prime minister, The surprising truth about frozen fruit. 30 Jun 2023 15:35:56 As the Commons debate began, Lord Lebedev tweeted: "Openness and transparency are pillars of our democratic system, so I welcome the call for security advice about me provided to HOLAC to be released.". Identical twins, Drs Chris and Xand, journey to discover their heritage, The latest mortgage advice and tips from Martin Lewis. Why a Japanese horse festival came under fire, Revellers and reflections: Photos of the week, Why Champion will be a huge cultural moment, Australia begins world-first MDMA therapy for PTSD, The outdoor shows that confirmed Bowie's superstardom. Saturday March 05 2022, 10.00pm. Evgeny Lebedev peerage: Labour seeks to force ministers to publish The appointments are then formalised by the Queen. "As a Russian citizen I plead with you to stop Russians killing their Ukrainian brothers and sisters.". The Sunday Times claimed security services withdrew its assessment that giving the honour to Evgeny Lebedev posed a security risk after the PM got involved. It eventually went through in July after his name was pushed forward again by Downing Street. Labour called the decision a cover-up and promised more action over what it called a contempt of parliament. On the second occasion, as part of what was described as a to and fro, the security services advice to Holac was reframed when further context was provided, prompting the appointments commission to withdraw its objections to Lebedev. "How much is someone responsible for his father etc?". The government could be forced to reveal private advice over the appointment of Evgeny Lebedev to the House of Lords, amid evidence the security services had concerns about the peerage. All rights reserved. The son of Alexander Lebedev, a billionaire Russian banker and former KGB officer, he came to London at the age of eight when his father began working in the Soviet embassy. Events at the Italian estate of the Evening Standard proprietor and Independent shareholder sound intriguing. Evgeny Lebedev, owner of the Independent and the London Evening Standard newspapers, was given a peerage in July 2020. The Labour motion calls for the publication of all documents held by the prime minister's private office or the Cabinet Office about advice from, or provided to, HOLAC relating to Lord Lebedev's peerage. Queen was asked to block Evgeny Lebedev's peerage, claims documentary It can then say whether it supports a nomination, however the commission has no right of veto. This prompted an immediate rebuff from the ISC, which said its request for details about Lebedev was separate and should have remained classified. RT @RussInCheshire: 20. In their confirmation letter, they are said to have called on Johnson to examine Russian influence in the House of Lords, something highlighted by parliaments intelligence and security committee in its Russia report. Asked about the story, Sir Keir said he was "very concerned" and that the "appropriate thing" was to refer the reports to the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee. The controversy around Lebedevs appointment was reignited with a Sunday Times story headlined: Lebedev got peerage after spies dropped warning, which followed previous reporting in the Guardian and Byline Times. They provided extra context, which was enough to lead to a different outcome, and peers signed off the appointment. (modern). Johnson has denied that he intervened to secure a peerage and Lebedev said in the aftermath of further reporting by the Sunday Times that he was not an agent of Russia. The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, made up of MPs, is looking into the role of HOLAC after the controversy surrounding Lord Lebedev's peerage. Sources have said that the commission felt bounced into appointing him because Downing Street continued to press for it despite the initial MI5 warning. It is essential that the confidentiality of these arrangements is maintained as it is this that ensures the vetting procedures are suitably robust and command confidence, whilst also protecting the private and personal data of those individuals who have entered into the vetting process., In what was almost a veiled warning about the consequences of agreeing to the request, Ellis wrote: Honourable members should be conscious that requests for information on the internal correspondence of the [House of Lords appointments] commission could also be applied to such opposition recommendations (including those which are rejected or withdrawn). He did admit HOLAC "needed clarification" on what was sent to them by security services on Lord Lebedev, and the response took "weeks". (modern). 2023 BBC. Desperate insiders 'tried to get the Queen to stop Boris Johnson making Asked if he had met Lebedev, a longtime friend of his, in March 2020, Johnson ignored the question but did not deny it. Boris Johnson has denied accusations that he intervened to override security concerns about granting a peerage to Russian -born media mogul Lord Evgeny Lebedev. The government will have to publish confidential information on how Evgeny Lebedev got a seat in the Lords, after a Parliamentary move from Labour. The party says it changed its mind after Boris Johnson overruled security service concerns. LONDON The late Queen Elizabeth II was asked to step in and stop Russian-British media tycoon Evgeny Lebedev getting a place in the House of Lords, it has been reported. Lord Lebedev became a crossbench peer in July 2020 after being nominated by Boris Johnson Evgeny Lebedev's application to join the Lords was "a special case", said the committee chair who. Evgeny Lebedev - Wikipedia My father was a former chartered surveyor, but Im not. Government Forced to Publish Lebedev Appointment Documents After warning about Lebedevs father, MI5 is understood to have told the commission that any security risk associated with the Evening Standard owner would be low, because peers do not routinely see classified government documents. Cleverly argued: There are lots of members of the House of Lords who are not active members of the House of Lords. 14 years later, she is forced to confront her past. (Tough field.) Johnsons former chief adviser Dominic Cummings said he was in the room when Cabinet Office officials told Johnson that the intelligence services and other parts of the deep state had serious reservations about the PMs plan. Mr Johnson is known to have been aware of security service concerns, with former No 10 adviser Dominic Cummings saying he was "in the room" when the prime minister was told intelligence officials had "serious reservations" about the move. The son of Alexander Lebedev, a billionaire Russian banker and former. All rights reserved. Former No 10 adviser Dominic Cummings has said he was "in the room" when the prime minister was told intelligence officials had "serious reservations" about the move. Evgeny Lebedev peerage was 'special case', says chair of vetting - BBC Evgeny Lebedev's nomination for a peerage was paused after advice from MI5 and was only ultimately approved with a letter advising his appointment would be controversial, the chair of House. Another source has confirmed to the BBC that concerns were raised by security services. What comes next? Please, The subscription details associated with this account need to be updated. Lebedev minds dreadfully about things that are said about him, it seems. Evgeny Lebedev was awarded a peerage by Boris Johnson, a close friend. We do say about candidates, there are things in this persons career which will lead to negative public comment, Bew told MPs, although he added this did not amount to a warning. Hes been critical of Vladimir Putins actions.. Aides asked Queen Elizabeth II to block Evgeny Lebedev's peerage We will take steps to rectify this contempt of parliament., Boris Johnsons deputy spokesperson defended the decision. I dont know the facts of the case. Someone once told me the famous guests are flown out by private jet and are to varying degrees horrified to learn that they will be flying back by budget airline. The appointment . Peers on the commission were said to have had confidential briefing from the UK security services, which suggested the appointment was a potential security risk because of Lebedevs father, Alexander Lebedev, a former KGB agent who worked undercover at the Soviet embassy in London. Evgeny thinks its very grand to have his houses photographed in Architectural Digest and World of Interiors and so on. PM says he did not intervene to get Russian-British newspaper owner into Lords after security risk warning. Gove defends Evgeny Lebedev after new questions raised about peerage A reasonable person might conclude that had happened in Lebedevs case, he said. Evgeny Lebedev Peerage, Bio, Wiki, Age, Wife, and Net Worth - Facts Buddy He added that the rules around the honours process were "applied very rigorously in this case. Security sources have previously told the Guardian that Lebedevs family links mean he is still regarded as a potential concern. Lord Lebedev, who owns British newspapers The Independent and the Evening Standard, has also dismissed allegations that he is an "agent of Russia" over claims a security services assessment. Downing Street was then alleged to have sought further assurances from the security agencies. Evgeny Lebedev's nomination for peerage 'paused' after MI5 advice The conservative court flexed its muscles. Using ground-breaking science, Chris Packham creates the most authentic T rex ever. Deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing defended Labour's right to hold a debate on the issue. Let me transport you to a 2016 house party at the Umbrian estate of Evgeny Lebedev, now Lord Lebedev of Hampton and Siberia. The Labour leader said the case should be referred to the all-party committee, which acts as a watchdog on intelligence matters, so they can look into this story, this allegation, which is very serious, because of course, its a matter of national security.