Roman Abramovich should be BARRED from owning Chelsea and his £152m UK home, says MP
CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich is a person "of interest" to the Home Office because of his links to "corrupt activity and practices", bombshell leaked government document reveals.
Labour MP Chris Bryant revealed the contents of an incendiary security memo about the Russian billionaire on the floor of the House of Commons today.
He said it claims UK border agencies have been tasked with stopping Mr Abramovich from basing himself in Britain.
Reading from the classified 2019 warning, Mr Bryant told stunned MPs: "As part of HMGs Russia strategy, aimed at targeting illicit finance and malign activity, Abramovich remains of interest to HMG due to his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices.
"An example of this is Abramovich admitting in court proceedings that he paid for political influence.
"Therefore HMG is focused on ensuring individuals linked to illicit finance and malign activity are unable to base themselves in the UK and will use the relevant tools at its disposal - including immigration powers - to prevent this."
His startling intervention on Thursday, came after the Sun revealed Mr Abramovich is effectively banned from basing himself in the UK.
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Mr Bryant said: "Following some of the reports in The Sun and other newspapers today. "I've got hold of a leaked document from 2019 from the Home Office.
"Surely we should be looking at seizing some of his assets, including his 152 million pound home?
"And making sure that other people who've had tier one visas like this are not engaged in malign activity in the UK.
"That's nearly three years ago, and yet remarkably little has been done in relation.
"Surely Mr Abramovich should no longer be able to own a football club in this country?"
EFFECTIVELY BARRED
This morning The Sun revealed the controversial billionaire withdrew his application for a UK Tier 1 investor visa in 2018, following criticism of oligarchs in the wake of the nerve gas atrocity in Salisbury, Wilts.
Senior security sources say it is unlikely the 55-year-old will ever be allowed to set up home in Britain again.
The Sun understands immigration officials are under clear instruction to work towards ensuring Mr Abramovich cannot base himself in the UK.
It is understood his case is being handled by the Home Office’s secretive “Special Cases Unit”.
It is part of the Security and Counter Terrorist directorate which handles top-secret matters of national security.
There is no suggestion that he is connected to terrorism or involved in wrongdoing.
In 2018 he acquired Israeli citizenship that would allow him entry to Britain for up to six months.
Last October he used an Israeli passport to make a flying visit to London.
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But sources said if he wants to be resident in the UK he will have to apply formally for a permanent visa.
A senior source said: “Any attempt would almost certainly be rejected.”
