Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has criticized Conservative Party member Kemi Badenoch for allowing a lawyer from Roman Abramovich’s legal team to have a prominent role within her team. The Prime Minister expressed his disapproval after it was revealed that Shadow Attorney General Lord Wolfson is representing the former owner of Chelsea FC, who is under pressure to contribute £2.5 billion towards the reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.
Lord Wolfson has been enlisted to handle Abramovich’s legal dispute with the Jersey government regarding the origin of assets totaling over £5.3 billion linked to him and held in Jersey. Abramovich has argued that the transfer of assets to aid Ukraine must wait until the Jersey proceedings are resolved.
During a heated exchange in the House of Commons, Starmer criticized Badenoch for what he perceived as a lack of judgment and leadership, pointing out the potential conflict of interest in retaining Lord Wolfson in the shadow cabinet. Starmer highlighted the need for clarity on whether the shadow cabinet supports sending funds from Chelsea FC to Ukraine, considering Lord Wolfson’s representation of Abramovich.
Abramovich divested from Chelsea in 2022 following sanctions imposed by the UK due to alleged connections to Vladimir Putin amidst the Ukraine conflict. The proceeds from the sale are frozen, with the government prepared to pursue legal action to release them for humanitarian purposes related to the war in Ukraine.
In December, Starmer issued a warning to Abramovich, threatening legal action if the sale proceeds were not surrendered. Labour Justice Minister Jake Richards wrote to Badenoch, expressing concerns over Lord Wolfson’s dual role and questioning the alignment of the Opposition with the government’s stance on transferring funds to aid Ukraine.
The Conservatives dismissed Labour’s criticisms, labeling them as politically motivated. A Conservative party spokesperson clarified that Lord Wolfson’s involvement pertains to separate legal proceedings in Jersey, not Chelsea FC matters. The spokesperson criticized Labour’s stance, emphasizing that barristers represent clients, not causes, and urged Labour to refrain from making unfounded accusations.
