The security services withdrew an assessment that granting a peerage to a Russian businessman posed a national security risk after Boris Johnson intervened.
The prime minister pushed ahead with the nomination of his friend Evgeny Lebedev, the Moscow-born son of an ex-KGB agent and media mogul, even after intelligence officials raised concerns.
Johnson is said to have responded to advice to drop it by claiming: “This is anti-Russianism.” In March 2020, the House of Lords Appointments Commission (Holac), which vets peerages, wrote to the prime minister advising him against granting Lebedev, 41, a lifetime seat in the Lords.
The security services withdrew an assessment that granting a peerage to a Russian businessman posed a national security risk after Boris Johnson intervened. The prime minister pushed ahead with the nomination of his friend Evgeny Lebedev, the Moscow-born son of an ex-KGB agent and media mogul, even
www.thetimes.co.uk
May gave a speech when PM about the malign influence of Russian money on British politics around the same time Boris was Home Secretary. It’s entirely possible she was well aware Boris was in Russian pockets, but as we know wasn’t politically strong enough to get rid of him and/or the other Honourable Members for Moscow. And always wondered why when Boris was Home Secretary he was limited like no other, at best he has poor judgment, at worst which there is growing evidence and concern, the man is essentially corrupt.
