A leading campaigner for Ukraine has branded it "shameful" that a senior Conservative frontbencher is providing legal counsel to sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who is blocking the transfer of billions earmarked for the war-ravaged nation.
Frontline Realities Contrast with Legal Wrangling
Christopher Ford, Secretary of the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, spoke out after returning from delivering aid in Ukraine's Donbas region. He described a landscape of daily blackouts, missile strikes, and civilian deaths in homes, schools, and hospitals.
"Ukrainians remain resilient," Ford stated, "but they will not hand over their country to Russia and the brutality of occupation." He visited the Save Ukraine centre, meeting children rescued from occupied territories where he reports one in ten had suffered sexual abuse. More than 20,000 children are confirmed as abducted by Russia, a figure believed to be a significant underestimate.
Shadow Cabinet Member at Centre of Storm
Against this harrowing backdrop, Roman Abramovich is engaged in a legal battle concerning over £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea FC, funds destined for Ukrainian aid, and billions more in frozen assets in Jersey. His legal team includes former Trump adviser Eric Herschmann and, notably, Lord David Wolfson KC.
Lord Wolfson is not merely a barrister with a wealthy client. He is a Conservative peer and the Shadow Attorney General. Abramovich is a sanctioned oligarch widely considered to have strong ties to Vladimir Putin.
Ford condemns the arrangement, arguing that Wolfson's involvement signals a dangerous move towards normalising relations with Putin-linked figures. "The Tory defence that this is simply a barrister taking on a client does little to inspire confidence," he said.
Calls for Action and Accountability
The controversy raises serious questions about the Conservative Party's direction under Kemi Badenoch's leadership, according to Ford. He insists the Labour government must respond robustly.
His demands include introducing emergency legislation to prevent sanctioned oligarchs from exploiting the UK legal system and transferring all nearly £30 billion in frozen Russian assets in the UK to support Ukraine.
Ford warns of a broader trend where populist and far-right politicians, including those influencing the White House and figures like Nigel Farage in the UK, seek to "normalise" relations with Moscow while Ukraine fights for survival.
"We cannot pretend this legal wrangling exists in a vacuum. Not when children are being abducted and civilians are being killed," Ford emphasised. He is urging the public to join a protest outside Conservative Party Headquarters on Wednesday 7 January at 5pm to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
