Labour criticises Tory shadow minister for representing Roman Abramovich

Labor has criticized Conservative shadow attorney general Lord Wolfson for representing sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Justice Secretary Jack Richards said it was “untenable”, arguing that representing Mr Abramovich while maintaining his position as a Tory frontrunner risked a conflict of interest.

The Conservatives said the comments were “pure politics” and “baseless smear”, adding that “lawyers act on behalf of clients, not cases”.

Lord Wolfson is part of the legal team representing the former owner of Chelsea Football Club in his court battle with the Jersey government.

Mr Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The oligarch, who made his fortune from oil and gas, is alleged to have strong ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but he denies this.

More than £5.3 billion in assets tied to Mr Abramovich frozen by courts in Jersey since sanction.

In April 2022, the Jersey government launched an investigation to determine the source of the funds, sparking a long-running legal battle.

The justice minister claimed the case delayed the transfer of funds from Mr Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea FC, which the government wanted to give to victims of the war in Ukraine.

In 2022, Mr Abramovich said the £2.5 billion he received from the sale should be used for “all victims of the war”, meaning Russians could also benefit.

In a letter to Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, Richards said: “Mr Abramovich’s view is that the transfer of funds cannot be completed until the end of the case in Jersey, where Lord Wolfson is representing him.

“As shadow attorney general, Lord Wolfson has a pivotal role in formulating Conservative Party policy.

“As a paid representative of Mr. Abramovich, he has a financial interest in the question of whether and when Mr. Abramovich’s assets will be transferred for the benefit of the Ukrainian people.”

In his letter, the minister raised a number of questions, including whether Lord Wolfson had played a role in formulating the party’s position on the transfer of funds from the sale of Chelsea FC and whether he had expressed interest in the process or recused himself.

Richards said the “cab rank rule” – the principle that a lawyer should take on any case within his or her area of ​​expertise without regard to the client – “must always be respected, but it cannot eliminate conflicts of interest or absolve politicians of their responsibility to avoid such conflicts”.

He added: “Lord Wolfson’s ability to advise you on this matter is clearly compromised by the fact that he has been paid to act on behalf of Mr Abramovich.

“That is his business if he wants to continue representing clients whose interests relate directly to the government’s policies and HM opposition, but he cannot do so while serving in your shadow cabinet.”

In response, a Conservative Party spokesman said: “Lord Wolfson has been given instructions regarding ongoing legal proceedings in Jersey. He has not been given instructions regarding the Chelsea FC matter.

“Jake Richards’ comments are purely political and show that Labor still does not understand how the Bar works. Lawyers act on behalf of clients, not cases.”

The spokesman accused Labor of “high degree of hypocrisy” and said the government’s chief legal counsel, Lord Advocate Hermer, – previously represented former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams before becoming a minister.

They added: “The Conservative Party has led the way in supporting Ukraine and we remain committed to their cause. To suggest anything else would only sink Labor to new depths.”

There has been a delay in its release due to disagreement over exactly how the funds from the sale of Chelsea FC, which are currently frozen in a British bank account, should be used.

Mr Abramovich cannot access the money due to UK sanctions, but the proceeds from the Chelsea sale still legally belong to him.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called on the oligarch to “pay now” or go to court.