Read about our approach to external linking. Appointments commission raised security concerns in 2020 but felt bounced into approving him because No 10 pressed for it. 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. He denied posing a "security risk" to the country and he backed the publication of the security advice, tweeting: "I have nothing to hide.". The motion also demands the publication of all relevant emails and the minutes of any meetings at which the peerage was discussed, but is not clear how much of the material will be redacted on national security grounds. PM denies intervening to secure peerage for Evgeny Lebedev | ITV News Government Forced to Publish Lebedev Appointment Documents Deciphering Putin's many appearances since mutiny, Why a Japanese horse festival came under fire, 'Instead of saving us they sank the boat', India nurse who delivered more than 10,000 babies, Revellers and reflections: Photos of the week, The surprising truth about frozen fruit. Labour will force a binding vote on releasing information about Boris Johnsons involvement in the decision to award the peerage to the Evening Standard owner. 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. He now sits in the upper legislative chamber of the British parliament, put there against almost all advice by Boris Johnson a man you sense the celebrities are not minded to buzz around, which should certainly give them pause. 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. He became a non-party, crossbench peer in July 2020, after being nominated by Mr Johnson. All rights reserved. Boris Johnson put Evgeny Lebedev forward for a peerage in 2020 and he gave a maiden speech last May. Downing Street nominated Lebedev, who describes himself as a British and a Russian citizen, for a life peerage in July 2020. Johnson then put that agent's son - Evgeny Lebedev - into the House of Lords 21. The chair of the House of Lords appointments watchdog is due to be questioned by MPs following reports that Boris Johnson overruled its refusal to hand a peerage to Evgeny Lebedev, the Russian . The committee said its report also highlighted the number of members of the House of Lords with business interests linked to Russia and contained an unpublished annexe covering these issues in more depth, but which it cannot discuss for national security reasons. And its very, very, very important that we get the message over that were not anti-Russian.. Speaking on Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky News, Gove appeared to suggest to reopen the question of the peerage would be to play into the hands of Vladimir Putin. (modern). 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. Boris Johnson has been under fire after nominating his friend, who became an independent peer in July 2020. VideoThe surprising truth about frozen fruit, What Titan sub wreckage can tell us about the tragedy. Controversy surrounding the peerage given to Lebedev dates back his appointment in 2020. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. This was despite the House of Lords Appointment Committee (Holac) saying Lebedev shouldn't get a peerage on national security grounds. Evgeny Lebedev peerage was 'special case', says chair of vetting PM says he did not intervene to get Russian-British newspaper owner into Lords after security risk warning. Two days after Holac wrote its initial letter of concern, on 19 March, Johnson met Evgeny Lebedev, although it is not known whether the peerage was discussed. Boris Johnson has been under fire after nominating his friend, who became an . In fact, Lebedev Jr is very far from a victim. The former PM has been heavily criticised after elevating Evgeny Lebedev to the House of Lords, with sources . Evgeny Lebedev was awarded a peerage by Boris Johnson, a close friend. Later, Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, wrote to Johnson asking that he make available to the intelligence and security committee all advice and information he received regarding the appointment of Lebedev, and that he should cooperate with any further inquiries the watchdog wanted to make. Read about our approach to external linking. 'I have nothing to hide': Russian media mogul Evgeny Lebedev lashes out Gillian Duncan Jun 26, 2023 Listen In English Listen in Arabic Powered by automated translation The British government asked whether Queen Elizabeth II would block the peerage of Russian-British businessman Evgeny Lebedev due to security concerns, according to a documentary. The visit . 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. Evgeny Lebedev, owner of the Independent and the London Evening Standard newspapers, was given a peerage in July 2020. Evgeny Lebedev's application to join the Lords was "a special case", said the committee chair who vets peerages. Boris Johnson denies intervening over Evgeny Lebedev peerage undercover at the Soviet embassy in London, Lebedev told the Guardian in the autumn of 2020. Labour claimed the House of Lords Appointment Committee (HOLAC) - which Lord Bew chairs - advised the PM against giving the businessman the honour. Ms Rayner demanded to know what happened between Mr Johnson receiving the HOLOC advice and the peerage being cleared, highlighting a private meeting between Lord Lebedev and Mr Johnson at the peer's London home. The party says it changed its mind after Boris Johnson overruled security service concerns. 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. Its our responsibility to protect the integrity of the vetting process which, as you know, is voluntarily entered into on a confidential basis, they said. 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". So what your father did for work is Im not completely sure totally relevant, Cleverly told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. You can run, but you can't hide forever A woman uses 9/11 to fake her death. MPs vote to back publication of Lord Lebedev peerage security advice. Many British citizens of Russian extraction came to the UK to oppose President Putin, Michael Ellis tells the Commons. He did admit HOLAC "needed clarification" on what was sent to them by security services on Lord Lebedev, and the response took "weeks". (modern). I have seen first-hand the real impact of Russian interference in Britain and the difficulties prosecutors encounter when dealing with those who act on behalf of Putin. Labour used a Humble Address motion, an obscure Parliamentary procedure employed by the party to get hold of Brexit material in 2017, to force the publication of the the confidential documents. Evgeny Lebedev peerage: Labour seeks to force ministers to publish The morning after one such party, Johnson was spotted at a nearby airport looking like he had slept in his clothes. French minister plays down riots as violence continues, 'This was a kid': Paris suburb rocked by killing and riots, Energy bills fall as new price cap comes into force, How I found the new Stephen Lawrence murder suspect, Deciphering Putin's many appearances since mutiny. Exclusive: Channel 4 film says officials contacted the palace in 2020 owing to concerns about Lord Lebedev's father's links to Putin regime Government officials asked whether the late Queen would block Evgeny Lebedev's peerage because of concerns that he could be a national security risk due to his . The prime minister has once again put personal interest before the publics, and this time hes risked national security. 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. Desperate insiders 'tried to get the Queen to stop Boris Johnson making peerage'. What comes next? 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. All rights reserved. The vote, in which Tory MPs were instructed to abstain given the extent of backbench Conservative disquiet on the issue, followed revelations that the intelligence services had concerns about a peerage for Lebedev awarded by Boris Johnson, a close friend. When he had faced similar criticism the previous year, he hastily scrambled to table precisely two written questions. The son of Alexander Lebedev, a billionaire Russian banker and former. 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. Downing Street was then alleged to have sought further assurances from the security agencies. Evgeny Lebedev peerage: Labour seeks to force ministers to publish advice Angela Rayner to force binding vote on release of information, including on PM's involvement in decision Evgeny. The UK government has been forced to commit itself to disclosing the vetting advice provided to the prime minister on the nomination of Russian businessman Evgeny Lebedev for a peerage. Speaking on BBC Ones Sunday Morning, Starmer said he was very concerned: Theres at least the suggestion that the government and the prime minister were warned that there was a national security risk in this particular appointment.. Mr Johnson told reporters that the . Gove defends Evgeny Lebedev after new questions raised about peerage Laundering the Lebedevs - Byline Times Evgeny Lebedev was made a peer in July 2020. The Dizzying Social Rise of Russian Scion Evgeny Lebedev Deciphering Putin's many appearances since mutiny, Why a Japanese horse festival came under fire, 'Instead of saving us they sank the boat', India nurse who delivered more than 10,000 babies, Revellers and reflections: Photos of the week, The surprising truth about frozen fruit. 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. The government has declined a Commons instruction to release information about the decision to make Evgeny Lebedev a peer, saying this would undermine the confidentiality of those nominated and could degenerate into political point-scoring. He said the cross-party group of MPs and peers would be able to look at confidential material and "come to a view about what actually happened.". Evgeny Lebedev: Ministers withhold security advice over Lords seat The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, has said parliaments intelligence and security committee should investigate the circumstances surrounding Boris Johnsons elevation of Evgeny Lebedev to the House of Lords. 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. Since then he hasn't spoken or voted, and attends as rarely as possible without being. 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. "At no other point was there pressure placed on us on this case," he said. Paymaster General Michael Ellis, for the government, condemned what he called Labour's "unsavoury" personal attacks on Lord Lebedev. Desperate insiders 'tried to get the Queen to stop Boris Johnson making 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. Queen was asked to block Evgeny Lebedev's peerage, claims documentary Deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing defended Labour's right to hold a debate on the issue. Saturday March 05 2022, 10.00pm. In his statement, Ellis said ministers had to balance openness with the wider public interest, and it would not be helpful to publish details about the scrutiny given to prospective peers. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. UK promises quicker sanctions against oligarchs. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. Evgeny Lebedev and Boris Johnson at a reception ahead of the Evening Standard theatre awards, November 2009. Lord Lebedev's peerage under spotlight after his lack of contribution What is the energy cap and what's happening to bills? What comes next? I do not believe it would be in the public interest for such internal correspondence to be used in the future for political point-scoring., He ended: Lord Lebedev is a man of good standing.. All rights reserved. Evgeny Lebedev peerage was 'special case', says chair of vetting - BBC 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. Dont you think?. She claimed Mr Johnson was "willing to jeopardise the security of the British public for the sake of a personal friendship" and accused him riding roughshod over the Lords appointments process. Evgeny thinks its very grand to have his houses photographed in Architectural Digest and World of Interiors and so on. Of particular note, apparently, were improved copies of 18th-century originals, the cornice newly copied from a Chippendale in Dumfries House and a Lutyens design but modified for contemporary needs. 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. The conservative court flexed its muscles. The aides contacted Buckingham Palace in July 2020 to ask Queen Elizabeth to intervene, which she was constitutionally entitled to do, after Boris Johnson decided to go ahead with the peerage despite warnings from the intelligence agencies, programme makers say. Giving evidence on Wednesday morning, Lord Bew said that MI5 had raised security concerns when the Evening Standard owner was put forward for a peerage by Downing Street in March 2020 which prompted a protracted period of review. The Palace is understood to have refused, wanting to avoid accusations that the Queen was interfering in political matters, and the Russian-British businessman became Lord Lebedev of Hampton and Siberia that December. The appointment . To Evgeny Lebedev, then, whose subsequent peerage remains a matter of controversy. This was not Johnsons only trip to the estate. Events at the Italian estate of the Evening Standard proprietor and Independent shareholder sound intriguing. Lebedev robustly defended his record on Friday, saying he was not some agent of Russia, and suggested the fresh scrutiny of his situation amounted to Russophobia. This is an important matter of national security, Rayner said. Answering questions during a brief TV clip on Monday, the prime minister did not, however, deny meeting the Russian-British newspaper owner at the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, shortly before the peerage was formalised. He told MPs: "There was no pressure on this issue from No 10 or the prime minister.". 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. (modern). Evgeny Lebedev Peerage, Bio, Wiki, Age, Wife, and Net Worth - Facts Buddy We are committed to transparency, but the disclosure we have made reflects the need to maintain the integrity of the system., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. 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. The role of the commission is to advise the prime minister on whether it has any concerns about the propriety of a nominee to the House of Lords, Parliament's second chamber. I can assure parliament that proper consideration would be given to any information which indicated national security concern arising from a prospective appointment before a decision was made, he wrote. According to one report, she is subsequently escorted to the kitchen by Evgenys former SAS bodyguards and not seen again for the weekend. Lord Bew also denied trying to block the peerage, saying rather than warning against appointing him, the committee merely warned about a public backlash. Mr Ellis denied claims this was because the government feared it would be defeated by Tory rebels who also want to see the material published, claiming it was normal for Tories to abstain in votes on Labour motions. Media mogul Lord Evgeny Lebedev has previously defended Vladimir Putin and raised questions over the murder of Alexander Litvinenko (PA) / PA Wire "Rather than stand in solidarity with her, the. Queen 'asked to block Lebedev's peerage over security fears' Evgeny Lebedev: Ministers withhold security advice over Lords seat - BBC Newspaper owner Lord Lebedev is the Russian-born son of a KGB agent Alexander Lebedev, and fresh questions arose about the security risk he could pose to the UK after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In February, Evgeny had gone an entire year without saying anything in proceedings in the chamber. Glamour model Katie Price has just twice enlivened dinner by showing the table her latest breasts. The government has previously told MPs to abstain on non-binding Labour motions but the humble address technique has been legally binding in the past and may lead to the Tories whipping MPs to vote down the disclosure. Asked if he had met Lebedev, a longtime friend of his, in March 2020, Johnson ignored the question but did not deny it. Read about our approach to external linking. Lebedev minds dreadfully about things that are said about him, it seems. He had developed a close relationship with Lebedev, attending parties at his Italian castle, including when he was foreign secretary. I have met Lord Lebedev, in public, and nobody has ever suggested to me that that was wrong, Gove said. But he claimed Lord Lebedev went through the usual vetting process and no-one interfered with the committee's work. Commons told ministers to publish information after revelations of intelligence service concerns over businessmans appointment. All rights reserved. Identical twins, Drs Chris and Xand, journey to discover their heritage, The latest mortgage advice and tips from Martin Lewis. 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. 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. 30 Jun 2023 15:35:56 Raab quizzed about Lord Lebedev's peerage "The right honourable member was foreign secretary on 17 March 2020 when British intelligence reportedly warned against the granting of a peerage to the . Bew said there was a final document summarising the issues relating to Lebedevs nomination, but added it was not yet decided whats to be released and whats not to be released implying there was an ongoing process of redactions. Giving evidence to MPs, Lord Bew said there was "uncertainty" around Lord Lebedev's case, and a "special set of circumstances" when it came to the businessman - pointing to his father's former job. Events at the Italian estate of the Evening Standard proprietor and Independent shareholder sound intriguing. The Sunday Times says that in March 2020 the commission that vets peerage appointments advised the prime minister against granting the newspaper owner a seat in the House of Lords - also known as a peerage - due to security concerns. Boris Johnson has denied overruling security service concerns about giving the Russian-born media mogul a peerage. "How much is someone responsible for his father etc?". To Evgeny Lebedev, then, whose subsequent peerage remains a matter of controversy. One source told the Sunday Times that the prime minister had himself complained this is anti-Russianism in response to the objections. 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. Mm-hm. Using ground-breaking science, Chris Packham creates the most authentic T rex ever. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? Evgeny Lebedev's unlikely peerage | The Spectator ", French minister plays down riots as violence continues, 'This was a kid': Paris suburb rocked by killing and riots. Both Downing Street and Lebedev have highlighted his charitable and business activities as reasons for the peerage. Evgeny Lebedev (Full Name: Evgeny Alexandrovich Lebedev, Baron Lebedev) is a popular Russian-British businessman, who owns Lebedev Holdings Ltd, which in turn owns the Evening Standard and ESTV (London Live). Government refuses to release Lebedev peerage details despite MPs The Labour . 'Huge finger to the public': Johnson prompts outrage after nominating 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. Please, The subscription details associated with this account need to be updated. Read about our approach to external linking. Lord Lebedev is a longstanding friend of the prime minister, The surprising truth about frozen fruit. Boris Johnson has handed peerages to his younger brother, the newspaper magnate Evgeny Lebedev and several Conservatives grandees and Brexiteers. Since then he hasn't spoken or voted, and attends as rarely as possible without being suspended. June 26, 2023 12:19 pm CET. 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. I dont know the facts of the case. What sanctions are being imposed on Russia? as the Americans would say. French minister plays down riots as violence continues, 'This was a kid': Paris suburb rocked by killing and riots. She will ask Steve Barclay, the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, to submit to parliament all the information about the appointment process. When someone is nominated, the commission carries out checks with other government departments and agencies. Sun 25 Jun 2023 13.59 EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Government officials asked whether the late Queen would block Evgeny Lebedev's peerage because of concerns that he. In a parallel written statement of explanation, the Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis said that while the government is and remains committed to openness and transparency, it would not abide by the Commons request. The government will have to publish confidential information on how Evgeny Lebedev got a seat in the Lords, after a . According to Evgeny, this was the Eurasian union this new kind of philosophy of a Russian state more focused on the east than the west. Angela Rayner to force binding vote on release of information, including on PMs involvement in decision. Evgeny Lebedev's nomination for peerage 'paused' after MI5 advice Why have there been delays to UK Russia sanctions? A previous column I wrote about him resulted in an odd piece of behind-the-scenes behaviour. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Evegeny Lebedev, the Russian-British owner of the Independent and the Evening Standard newspapers, has been nominated for peerage by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, setting off a round of hysteria on social media. Lord Lebedev became a crossbench peer in July 2020 after being nominated by Boris Johnson, The surprising truth about frozen fruit. Lords Appointments Watchdog to Be Questioned After Lebedev Peerage Boris Johnson has denied that he intervened to secure a peerage for Evgeny Lebedev after intelligence services warned it would be a security risk, arguing that such suggestions could be motivated by anti-Russian prejudice.