UK Politics

A “staunch eurosceptic” Tory MP has asked the government to bring in free movement across borders – but only for plants.Robert Goodwill, who welcomed the end of EU free movement for people, wrote to ministers at Defra last month asking them to “ensure free movement of cultivated plant biodiversity”.The call by the ex Home Office immigration minister prompted anger from supporters of free movement for people, who said his priorities were wrong.Sir Robert had previously told constituents that Britain should “take back control and bring an end to free movement once and for all”, adding: “When people voted to leave the EU, they did so in the knowledge that the free movement system imposed by the EU would end.”But in a written parliamentary question the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, who is a farmer by trade, asked environment ministers “what steps [the] Department is taking to ensure free movement of cultivated plant biodiversity”.Brexit has made it more difficult to export and import cultivated plants, with phytosanitary restrictions on trade between Great Britain, the continent, and Northern Ireland.Naomi Smith, chief executive of pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain, told The Independent: “For those who campaigned so energetically against the free movement for British people to ironically now call for the free movement of plants, is the clearest distillation of the heartless, irrational and backwards priorities that drives some Eurosceptics. “At a time when Brits are lining up to help people fleeing war and support others fighting tyranny, this parochial way of thinking is completely out of step with where the country is at.”Defra minister Victoria Prentis replied to Sir Robert saying that plant imports posted “a risk because they can act as hosts or vectors and are one of the primary ways in which new pests and diseases can be introduced”.She added that “high plant health and biosecurity standards keep harmful pests and diseases out of the UK, benefiting both the horticultural trade and the environment in the long term” and said the UK “has some of the highest plant health and biosecurity standards in the world”. More

A government minister said he “probably wouldn’t be overly happy” if his daughters were placed in a boarding house with a transgender girl. In an inquiry from the Commons’ Education Select Committee, Will Quince, Minister for Children and Families, was asked by Conservative MP Caroline Johnson about the rising number of transgender students in UK schools.Ms Johnson said: “The number of children who identify as transgender is increasing and schools need to strike a balance of ensuring that these children can be cared for properly and that their needs are properly met,” while also meeting the needs of the wider school population.She added that she had been contacted by parents who were concerned about an 18-year-old trans girl sharing a boarding house with their teenage daughters.Ms Johnson asked Mr Quince what guidance the Department for Education could give to schools in dealing with situations like these “in a sensitive way that provides for the privacy and dignity and wellbeing of all the students”. More

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has insisted there is “no connection” between the war in Ukraine and the campaign for Scottish independence, after a top party official was accused of making a “crass” comparison between the two.Mike Russell, the SNP’s president, was criticised by opposition parties after he used a newspaper column to liken Ukraine potentially being ruled by Russia to Scotland being part of the UK.“Just because something was, doesn’t mean it will always continue to be so whether that be rule from Moscow, or the result of an eight-year-old referendum,” he wrote.It came as SNP MSP Michelle Thomson apologised after tweeting about Ukraine’s emergency application to join the EU accompanied by the message: “Just goes to show what political will can achieve. Remember this Scotland!”Ms Thomson, the MSP for Falkirk East, subsequently deleted her post and wrote: “I noted and then tweeted something earlier that was insensitive regarding Ukraine … Apologies if I offended anyone.”Mr Russell’s comments were branded “crass” by Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie, who said he was astounded a senior SNP figure “would seek to draw any parallels to the democratic decision of the people of Scotland”.Asked about Mr Russell’s remarks on Wednesday, Ms Sturgeon said: “There is no connection between a war in Ukraine and the support and campaign for independence in Scotland.”Scotland’s first minister claimed it would be “overstating things” to suggest that comparisons had been made between Ukraine and the Scottish independence campaign.The SNP leader said: “What I think should unite all of us right now are some fundamental values, the values that underpin I think much of our democracy in Scotland – and certainly underpin my party and the independence movement.”She added: “The commitment to democracy, freedom, the rule of international law and the value of the world coming together in solidarity.”Responding to Ms Sturgeon’s comments, Mr Rennie said: “I’m glad Nicola Sturgeon has made it clear to her supporters that there is no connection between the war in Ukraine and Scottish independence.”He added: “I hope this puts an end to crass and insensitive remarks so we can now unite behind the people of Ukraine.”The row follows outrage over remarks made by Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams, who appeared to liken Vladimir Putin’s claim of a right to rule Ukraine to England’s treatment of Wales.The Welsh nationalist party’s defence spokesman, claimed there is “a particular menace” for Wales in the Russian president denying Ukraine is a country in its own right.Mr Williams wrote in a newspaper column: “Ukraine is not a real country he says. It does not have a right to exist. It is he, far away in Moscow, who has the right to rule. We in Wales are familiar with these arguments.”Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, hit back at the comments, saying: “Wales is a willing and democratic part of the United Kingdom. To draw any comparison is at best insensitive and, at worst, minimises what Ukrainians are going through.” More

Boris Johnson has promised to publish a full list of people and organisations associated with Russian president Vladimir Putin’s regime, with aides saying that Britons should “think carefully” before dealing with them.There were no immediate details of who will feature on the list of “Putin’s pals”, but Downing Street indicated that it will extend well beyond the eight oligarchs and 100-plus companies already sanctioned by the UK in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.Mr Johnson’s official spokesperson said that sanctions will not necessarily be applied to all those featuring, whose names would be published “in the interest of transparency”.The PM made his announcement as he came under pressure in the House of Commons over the government’s failure to clamp down on the network of London lawyers and lobbyists believed to be helping associates of Putin protect investments in the UK.He told MPs at prime minister’s questions in the Commons: “We will publish… a full list of all those associated with the Putin regime.”The PM’s spokesperson later said that Mr Johnson wanted to highlight “individuals who are benefiting from the Putin regime”.He was unable to confirm that all those named would face sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes.But he told reporters: “I think you would expect that a significant proportion would end up on our sanctions regime or indeed sanctions that we’re coordinating with the EU and US.”Asked whether Mr Johnson expected UK individuals and companies to stop doing business with those named on the list, the PM’s spokesperson replied: “Well, it may well have that effect.“I think what we are trying to do across the board – whether it’s businesses, oligarchs, or in the cultural sector as well – is to is to make clear that, even when we’re not taking legislative action, people should think very carefully about how they engage with any organisations that may be assisting Putin, even inadvertently, in the attack and invasion of Ukraine.” More

Boris Johnson has rejected a call to donate £2 million handed to the Tory party by a Russian banker to Ukraine humanitarian causes.At prime minister’s questions Mr Johnson was asked by Labour MP Bill Esterson whether he would hand over the £2 million – the most recent £80,000 of which was revealed just today. But the prime minister appeared to reject the call, telling MPs the UK’s quarrel with Vladimir Putin was “not about the Russian people”.Lubov Chernukhin – wife of a former minister in Vladimir Putin’s government – handed the Tories the cash as recently as the final months of 2021, according to the Electoral Commission’s figures.The dual national former banker had become one of the most prominent Russia-linked figures in politics due to her large donations to the Conservative party.It was previously revealed that Ms Chernukhin’s husband Vladimir Chernukhin received millions of pounds from a Russian MP and ally of Vladimir Putin who appears on the US sanctions list.Speaking on Wednesday Mr Esterson asked: “Will the Prime Minister instruct the Conservative Party to give to Ukrainian humanitarian causes the £2 million Lubov Chernukhin. This includes £80,000 referred to in data released today by the Electoral Commission.”I know he doesn’t want to tar everyone with Russian links with the same brush and neither do I. “But leaked documents show that Vladimir Chernukhin received $8 million from a Russian Member of Parliament, an ally of Putin, who was later sanctioned by the United States. “Mr Speaker, this is an opportunity for the Conservative Party and for the Prime Minister, to end the suspicion of conflicts of interest with Putin while showing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”But Mr Johnson rebuffed the suggestion, telling the MP “It is absolutely vital, if we are to have a successful outcome in what we are trying to do, collectively united with Ukraine, that we demonstrate that this is not about the Russian people. This is about the Putin regime.”In response to a later question the prime minister said: “I do hope that those who have any links with the Putin regime, whatever, any so-called Oligarchs, all those that are in any way associated with the regime, take this opportunity as some brave individuals already have, to disassociate themselves from this barbaric invasion.Boris Johnson’s press secretary was asked whether the Tories would return any money if a party donor appeared on the sanctions list. She called it a “hypothetical question” and said there were checks in place on donations made to UK political parties.Foreign Office minister James Cleverly recently defended donations by Ms Chernukhin, saying: “She has every right to donate to us or any other political party.”The senior Tory told LBC all Conservative donors “are registered, are legitimate” and suggested Russia-linked donors “support our aims or objectives.”Asked on BBC Breakfast if she was embarrassed to have attended a diner with Ms Chernukhin, foreign secretary Liz Truss replied: “No I am not.” More

A Plaid Cymru MP has likened Vladimir Putin’s claim of a right to rule Ukraine to England’s treatment of Wales, triggering strong criticism.Hywel Williams, the Welsh nationalists’ defence spokesman, claimed there is “a particular menace” for Wales in the Russian president denying Ukraine is a country in its own right.“For is in Wales there is a particular menace in Vladimir Putin’s words,” he wrote in a newspaper column.“Ukraine is not a real country he says. It does not have a right to exist. It is he, far away in Moscow, who has the right to rule. We in Wales are familiar with these arguments.”But Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, hit out at the comments, saying: “Wales is a willing and democratic part of the United Kingdom.“Ukrainians are being murdered in a dictator’s invasion. To draw any comparison is at best insensitive and, at worst, minimises what Ukrainians are going through.”Mr Williams, MP for Arfon – formerly Caernarfon – since 2001, made his comments in a column hailing “the generosity shown by the people of north Wales” towards UkraineUp to 300 people attended a rally in his constituency demanding “an end to the war” and “freedom for the people of Ukraine”, he wrote.Plaid Cymru champions independence for Wales, as well as the use of the Welsh language, which has enjoyed an extraordinary surge in support in recent years.A break-up used to be backed by just 3 per cent of the population – reflecting the language for the English-speaking majority in Wales – but support has hit nearly 40 per cent recently.However, Labour has remained its firm grip on the 60-seat Senedd, the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff, which is has controlled since devolution was born in the late 1990s.Mark Drakeford, the Labour leader, has pushed for greater devolved powers, which is seen as having kept greater support for the independence movement at bay. More

A promised crackdown on Russian ‘dirty money’ in London will be delayed for 18 months, triggering criticism that Boris Johnson is dragging his heels.Keir Starmer pointed out that a register of the real foreign owners of property will not come into force until autumn 2023 at the earliest – “far too long for the Ukrainian people”.“Why are we giving Putin’s cronies 18 months to quietly launder their money out of the UK property market and into another safe haven,” he demanded to know.The Labour leader also criticised the government for failing to sanction Russian oligarchs with UK interests quickly – alleging that, despite the government’s rhetoric, it has fallen behind the EU.He pointed to the example of a former Russian deputy prime minister, Igor Shuvalov, who owns two flats worth £11m just yards from parliament and has been sanctioned by the EU – but not by the UK.Sir Keir said he was “ashamed” that shell companies behind Russian ownership of UK assets are only known because of the bravery of the jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny.He also demanded to know why the Russian-Israeli owner of Chelsea football club, Roman Abramovich, has not yet been sanctioned.“We must stand up to Putin and those who prop up his regime,” he told Mr Johnson at prime minister’s questions.“Roman Abramovich is the owner of Chelsea Football Club and various other high-value assets in the United Kingdom. He’s a person of interest to the Home Office because of his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices.“Last week, the prime minister said Abramovich is facing sanctions. He later corrected the record to say that he isn’t. Well, why on earth isn’t he?”In response, Mr Johnson said it was not “appropriate” for him to comment on individual cases, but insisted the actions taken by the UK are already “having an effect in Moscow”.“By exposing the ownership of properties, of companies in the way that we are, by sanctioning 275 individuals already – a further 100 last week –the impact is being felt, he told MPs.The prime minister added: “What we will publish in addition, is a full list of all those associated with the Putin regime.”And he said: “I think the House should be proud of what we have done already. And I can tell him that there is more to be done.”However, many Tory MPs share Labour’s concern that action is too slow – after the Foreign Office said it is inhibited by letters from expensive lawyers challenging on behalf of their Russian-born clients.Mr Abramovich is reported to be planning to sell his 15-bedroom mansion in west London, bought for £90m in 2009, allegedly in an attempt to escape sanctions. More

Boris Johnson has promised Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky that he will rally the international community to deliver “the strongest possible condemnation” of Russia at a meeting of the United Nations in New York today.The pair spoke by phone early on Wednesday as Russia continued to threaten capital Kyiv with a 40-mile convoy of armoured vehicles and artillery, and bombarded civilian areas of cities including Kharkiv.The call followed claims by Ukrainian officials that they had thwarted a bid by Chechen special forces to assassinate Zelensky.Mr Zelensky thanked the prime minister for the UK’s donation of defensive military equipment, including NLAW anti-tank weapons, which he said had proved “vital” in holding back Vladimir Putin’s invasion force.The resolution before the UN General Assembly vigorously deplores Russia’s invasion and demands the immediate withdrawal of troops.Although the vote is non-binding, it will deliver a very public indication of the scale of isolation facing Putin in the wake of his unprovoked aggression.Nations from around the world queued up to condemn Russia in debate on Tuesday, with only a handful – including  Cuba and North Korea – speaking in defence of Putin.The resolution has 94 co-sponsors, all but ensuring it will meet the two-thirds majority needed to pass. But all eyes will be on the votes of China and India, which abstained on a similar motion in the Security Council.The prime minister told Mr Zelensky the UK was “rallying UN General Assembly members today to ensure the strongest possible condemnation of Russia”, said Downing Street.“Sharing his disgust at the attacks on Ukraine, the prime minister said the UK was doing everything possible to support the Ukrainian people and their resistance,” a spokesperson added.“President Zelensky thanked the prime minister for the UK’s support and leadership in ensuring defensive aid reached Ukraine and said it had been vital in holding back Russian forces.“Both leaders agreed on the need for sanctions to go further to exert maximum pressure on President Putin in the coming days.“The prime minister said his thoughts and prayers, and those of the UK, were with the Ukrainian people.”In a message on Twitter following the call, Mr Zelensky said: “Coordinated actions with UK Prime minister Boris Johnson.“Reported on the course of Ukrainian defence and the latest crimes of Russia against the civilian population.“We are grateful for UK continued significant assistance in combating aggression. Together with partners we defend Ukraine.”- The Independent is raising money for the people of Ukraine – if you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page. More