Leanne Wood: The Russian dark money in UK politics – The National Wales

Here we go again.

The boys are waving their guns about and Oceania could soon be at war with Eastasia. Or is it Eurasia? Either way, another potential conflict played out in some far-flung place.

Then again, if we take seriously the Russia report, published in July 2020 by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), there may be trouble closer to home.

The report paints a scary picture. The security threat posed by Russia to the UK is "fundamentally nihilistic", "fed by paranoia", and based on a "might is right world order".

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We can expect sophisticated cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns designed to undermine our democracy. Indeed there are strong indications that the Russian state was active in the European referendum of 2016.

In short? Be afraid, be very afraid.

Members of the Ukrainian community in Ireland protested over Russian navy exercises in the Irish sea this week. (Picture: PA Wire)

And the bad news? Were not very well prepared and our European neighbours, yet again, are failing to show the same grit and determination as our courageous leaders here in the UK.

Take Jacob Rees-Mogg, for example, often heard urging the government to stand up to the tyrant Vladimir Putin.

What Rees-Mogg doesnt tell usis that he has an estimated 10 per cent stake in Somerset Capital Management, which, according to the Politics Home website, had 217 million of holdings in Russia in May 2018 -including two firms sanctioned by the US, and others, such as state-owned Sberbank, controlled by financiers close to Vladimir Putin.

What kind of game does Rees-Mogg think hes playing?

The ISC report is blunt: "Several members of the Russian lite who are closely linked to Putin are identified as being involved with charitable and/or political organisations in the UK, having donated to political parties."

Jacob Rees-Mogg reportedly has significant financial interests in Russia (Picture: PA Wire)

Could the report be referring to Vladimir Chernukhin, one-time deputy finance minister in Putins governmentand still friends with Kremlin insiders, such as billionaire Suleyman Kerimov?

Chernukhin has donated over 2 million to the Tories via his tennis-playing wife, Lubov. Edward Lucas, journalist and Russia expert isnt amused. The Chernukhins "are not fit and proper people to donate to political parties."

Or what about Alexander Temerko, former minister under Boris Yeltsin, who has given 1.3 million to the Tories? Temerko fled Russia to "Londongrad"to escape charges of theft, forgery and perverting the course of justice. Perfect Tory material.

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Oleg Sentsov, Ukrainian film maker, imprisoned in 2014 on trumped up terrorism charges, is clear: "Britain needs to do more to fight Moscows dirty money in London since corruption is a cornerstone to Putins rgime."

Try telling that to the fourteen ministers in Boris Johnsons government - including Brandon Lewis and Robert Courts -whove received thousands of pounds in funding from donors linked to Russia.

Closer to home, Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns has also managed to secure 15,000 from Mr Temerko.

They may not be inclined to heed Mr Sentsovs advice.

At least we can still rely on the impartiality of our Westminster parliamentary committees, including the ISC, who will always tell it as it is.

Alas, no. Among the Tory MPs whove taken money from Russian sources are senior conservatives Theresa Villiers and Mark Pritchard, who both just happen to be serving members of the ISC.

What an Orwellian mess.

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Leanne Wood: The Russian dark money in UK politics - The National Wales