EXCLUSIVE 🚨 w/@harryyorke1
British intelligence withdrew assessment that giving peerage to Evgeny Lebedev posed national security risk after Boris Johnson intervened
PM ignored warning about son of ex KGB spy and oligarch, said it was "anti-Russianism"
thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-…
British intelligence withdrew assessment that giving peerage to Evgeny Lebedev posed national security risk after Boris Johnson intervened
PM ignored warning about son of ex KGB spy and oligarch, said it was "anti-Russianism"
thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-…
Explosive new details on how Lebedev came to be given a peerage are revealed by multiple sources across Government and Whitehall tonight
It concerns what happened after the House of Lords Appointments Commission first rejected the nomination in March 2020.
It concerns what happened after the House of Lords Appointments Commission first rejected the nomination in March 2020.
This decision was based on an assessment by the security services provided to Holac via the Cabinet Office
But rather than drop the issue, PM personally intervened and pushed for it to be unblocked
Former aides objected, but PM pushed on.
But rather than drop the issue, PM personally intervened and pushed for it to be unblocked
Former aides objected, but PM pushed on.
What happened then is a subject of contention
But what can be now revealed is that the security services assessment of Lebedev was changed, forcing Holac to drop its objections
Some in Number 10 say they believe a ‘secret deal’ was cut at PM’s behest
But what can be now revealed is that the security services assessment of Lebedev was changed, forcing Holac to drop its objections
Some in Number 10 say they believe a ‘secret deal’ was cut at PM’s behest
Around the same time the PM is also alleged to have got involved in Gov contracts for adverts in newspapers - to ensure Lebedev’s Evening Standard benefitted
He is said to have raised Lebedev specifically with aides, and then later Cab Office official in charge
He is said to have raised Lebedev specifically with aides, and then later Cab Office official in charge
These claims are supported by sources in No10 at the time
Full story in The Sunday Times tomorrow. Make sure you buy a paper
Full story in The Sunday Times tomorrow. Make sure you buy a paper
Our report tallies with extraordinary investigation by @pcaruanagalizia in Tortoise (and reports by @lukeharding1968)
Several sources confirm their reports that intelligence suddenly withdrew their assessment
Now we know why: PM’s direct intervention
tortoisemedia.com/audio/lord-of-…
Several sources confirm their reports that intelligence suddenly withdrew their assessment
Now we know why: PM’s direct intervention
tortoisemedia.com/audio/lord-of-…
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