Leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak hit by claims he ‘went slow’ on punishing Russia for invading Ukraine
RISHI Sunak was last night hit by claims he “went slow” on punishing Russia for invading Ukraine.
The Sun can reveal Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss approached the Treasury in the second week of April to seek approval for a phase out of Russian gas imports to Britain by 2023.
But sources say the pair were rebuffed even after warnings Britain risked by “outflanked” by the EU on such a ban.
This newspaper can reveal Mr Sunak was approached directly on the subject ahead of a NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting held in Brussels on April 6.
But insiders say no approval to make the announcement was given then, despite Russian gas making up just 3 per cent of UK supply.
Mr Kwarteng is understood to have told the Treasury that the shortfall could easily be made up by the end of this year.
Ms Truss later announced the policy nearly three weeks later at her Mansion House Speech on April 29.
A Truss supporter said: “It’s often said that the bean counters should never be at the table during a time of war and for good reason.
“The Treasury were on a go slow when the people of Ukraine needed help.”
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But Mr Sunak's allies insist he was supportive the policy, just not an immediate embargo on all Russian gas.
A source close to the former Chancellor said: "Rishi backed the policy and spearheaded the most severe of economic sanctions on Russia that forced the Ruble to crash the Russian economy falter."