MP claims Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich
selling London property as he is ‘terrified’ of sanctions
Roman Abramovich is believed to have at least
£200million worth of property in London
By Rachael
Burford Political Reporter @RachaelBurford
Roman
Abramovich is selling his London properties because he is “terrified” of
sanctions, an MP claimed in Parliament on Tuesday.
The sale of
the Chelsea FC owner’s 15-bedroom mansion situated just behind Kensington
Palace is going through on Wednesday, Labour MP Chris Bryant alleged in the
Commons.
His flat in
Cheyne Terrace, Chelsea is also believed to have been sold, Mr Bryant suggested.
The Rhondda
MP told Home Secretary Priti Patel: “I think [Mr Abramovich] is terrified of
being sanctioned, which is why he’s already going to sell his home tomorrow,
and sell another flat as well.
“My anxiety
is that we’re taking too long about these things.”
The
Standard could not independently confirm the homes had been sold and has
contacted a spokesperson for Mr Abramovich.
The Chelsea
FC owner nor a representative have yet commented on Mr Bryant’s claims.
The Russian
oligarch is believed to have at least £200million worth of property in London.
He also owns properties in France, Russia, the USA and the Caribbean.
Last week,
Mr Bryant quoted from a leaked Home Office document in the Commons which stated
Mr Abramovich was identified by the Government in 2019 as having links to the
Russian state as well as to “corrupt activity and practices”.
He called
for the billionaire to have his assets in the UK seized following Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine.
Today he
told the Commons he fears the Government is "frightened of lawyers’
letters from all these oligarchs’ friends".
Ms Patel
said: "His points are absolutely valid. It is taking time, and there are
lots of legal reasons and he will be aware of that, and members of the House
will know this as well.
"I
don’t want to cut across the work that the FCDO is doing on this right now, but
there is a lot of detailed work taking place on sanctions, and much of that is
coming to the House pretty soon."
Mr Abramovich’s
spokesman said on Monday that that the billionaire had been asked by Ukraine to
help support attempts to reach a "peaceful resolution" with Russia.
They added
Mr Abramovich was contacted by Ukrainian officials and "has been trying to
help ever since".
When asked
whether the government had spoken to Mr Abramovich about the “peace talk”
reports, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said: " I don’t believe so.
Certainly, the Prime Minister hasn’t.
“I’ve seen
some of those claims reported. I don’t have any of that confirmed. Obviously
it’s entirely a matter rightly for the Ukrainian government to decide how to
approach any negotiations."
Asked
whether the Chelsea owner had so far been exempt from sanctions because of this
alleged peace keeping role, the PM’s spokesman replied that suggestion would
not be accurate and he could not comment on specific individuals.
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