Boris Johnson fails to comply with order to release Evgeny Lebedev peerage warning
Back in 2019, an Intelligence and Security Committee’s (ISC) report concluded that there had been significant interference in UK politics by Russia, possibly including in the EU referendum.
WHOAH!! So much for no smoking gun. The #RussiaReport is utterly damning about the failure of the intelligence services to protect our democratic processes.
'In response for our written request for evidence, MI5 provided just 6 lines of text' pic.twitter.com/SplYfMOtrN
— Carole Cadwalladr (@carolecadwalla) July 21, 2020
We won’t show it to you
We won’t show it to you
We won’t show it to you
Ok we didn’t investigate anything
Will you investigate anything now?
No https://t.co/AmcKQwrCQB— James Felton (@JimMFelton) July 21, 2020
Despite being sent to Boris Johnson in October, it far exceeded the usual 10-day time span from release to publication, appearing in heavily redacted form in July of the following year.
The double standards of our political ‘leaders’ over Russia is staggering.
The government issued thousands of visas to oligarchs for years, knowing the money laundering risks. Johnson suppressed the Russia Report and has dismissed Russia’s political interference at every turn.
— Sam Bright (@WritesBright) February 20, 2022
In the month he published the report, Boris Johnson brushed aside Security Service warnings to nominate his good friend and son of a former-KGB officer, Evgeny Lebedev, for a seat in the House of Lords.
It’s now been one year to the day since Lord Lebedev gave his maiden speech (via Zoom) to the House of Lords, where he promised to defend free speech and “provide [more] insights of use to my fellow noble Lords”.
He has not spoken in the Chamber again since. pic.twitter.com/puKTdc4S4v
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) May 12, 2022
In March, MPs voted to compel the government to release the Security Service advice regarding Lebedev’s peerage, but the deadline came and went without compliance.
On Thursday, it emerged that the PM would not be releasing the information.
BREAKING: Boris Johnson blocks publication of security service advice he received on Evgeny Lebedev.
MPs voted to compel release of all documents surrounding his peerage.
However, docs released today do not contain any such advice.
Total whitewash. https://t.co/qcPk8wXSkh
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) May 12, 2022
There was widespread condemnation of the decision, and speculation as to what it might signify.
1.
Hiding in the shadows from the sunlight of scrutiny.
Boris Johnson’s interference in the award of a seat at the heart of our Parliament – despite intelligence services concerns – to his friend Lord Lebedev risks our national security.
The public have a right to the truth. https://t.co/a2I3hlgQom
— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) May 12, 2022
2.
In case anyone is wondering what 'national security' means, it's where I have something to hide and don't want anyone to know about it. pic.twitter.com/H7t4SZhRqB
— Parody Boris (@Parody_PM) May 12, 2022
3.
BREAKING: Boris Johnson has blocked the publication of security advice on Evgeny Lebedev, which parliament voted to publish, because that information would embarrass Boris Johnson. As you can see, our democratic system functions perfectly x
— Laura Kuenssberg Translator (@BBCLauraKT) May 12, 2022
4.
https://t.co/IhBRo3mrWq pic.twitter.com/s9r7zOLrXf
— Toby Earle 🇺🇦 (@TobyonTV) May 12, 2022
5.
starting to think that the advice wasn't: 'Great idea, go ahead!' https://t.co/BbBFvhhgwg
— Henry Mance (@henrymance) May 12, 2022
6.
The security advice is now in Davy Jones' locker. https://t.co/INlc3SJoxZ
— Stephen Bush (@stephenkb) May 12, 2022
7.
https://t.co/M35KY1WeFp pic.twitter.com/uXZhbKt4J4
— Joe Scaramanga (@ScaramangaJoe) May 12, 2022
8.
‘We are committed to openness and transparency.’
-But we aren’t going to tell you how and why he gave a peerage to him pic.twitter.com/ZjhLa7ZBCr— Paul Johnson (@paul__johnson) May 12, 2022
9.
— Emma Kennedy💙 (@EmmaKennedy) May 12, 2022
10.
‘The government has declined a Commons instruction…’
So it’s officially confirmed, the UK is an autocracy now.
Autocracy
Noun
‘A system of government by one person with absolute power.´https://t.co/o9MlLVuH3i— The Purple Pimpernel (@Eyeswideopen69) May 12, 2022
11.
Imagine if Corbyn etc https://t.co/xeGQbSbMdG
— fourfoot (@fourfoot) May 12, 2022
Labour’s Barry Sheerman had a question.
Are there any rules laws or conventions that Boris Johnson’s Government does respect? https://t.co/5ufT0D2Nd6
— Barry Sheerman MP (@BarrySheerman) May 12, 2022
We’ll let him know if we spot any.
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Our 14 favourite scathing reactions to the release of the Russia Report
Source Adam Bienkov Image Screengrab, Screengrab
