EXCLUSIVE w/@harryyorke1
The head of MI6 had concerns about Boris Johnson’s friend Evgeny Lebedev almost a decade ago
In 2013, Sir John Sawers repeatedly rejected bid by KGB agent’s son to meet at MI6 HQ
No10 doesn't deny PM knew about incident
thetimes.co.uk/article/how-bo…
The head of MI6 had concerns about Boris Johnson’s friend Evgeny Lebedev almost a decade ago
In 2013, Sir John Sawers repeatedly rejected bid by KGB agent’s son to meet at MI6 HQ
No10 doesn't deny PM knew about incident
thetimes.co.uk/article/how-bo…
Lebedev instructed editor of the Independent, a paper he owned, to get him access to lunch with MI6 chief
Sawers refused, said he'd play no role in Lebedev campaign to infiltrate the establishment
Lebedev pushed back. MI6, aware of significant risks in meeting him, held firm
Sawers refused, said he'd play no role in Lebedev campaign to infiltrate the establishment
Lebedev pushed back. MI6, aware of significant risks in meeting him, held firm
At the time, Johnson was building a close friendship with Lebedev
The incident was relayed to his most senior aides. One said it’s implausible he didn’t know too
But then London mayor kept seeing Lebedev, repeatedly visiting his villa and castle in Italy
The incident was relayed to his most senior aides. One said it’s implausible he didn’t know too
But then London mayor kept seeing Lebedev, repeatedly visiting his villa and castle in Italy
New docs show Johnson opened doors of City Hall to Lebedev, who pitched festival with “substantial support” from Kremlin
He said he’d be “thrilled” if Lebedev’s papers could cover him positively
And he received £7k of flights, accommodation and private cars in three years
He said he’d be “thrilled” if Lebedev’s papers could cover him positively
And he received £7k of flights, accommodation and private cars in three years
New docs show Johnson opened doors of City Hall to Lebedev, who pitched festival with “substantial support” from Kremlin
He said he’d be “thrilled” if Lebedev’s papers could cover him positively
And he received £7k of flights, accommodation and private cars in three years
He said he’d be “thrilled” if Lebedev’s papers could cover him positively
And he received £7k of flights, accommodation and private cars in three years
During this time Lebedev closely mirrored Putin positions
He suggested MI6 may have killed Alexander Litvinenko, played down invasion of Crimea, said Putin showed leadership in Syria
He said Russians thanked Putin for “unimaginable freedoms, “regained sense of national pride"
He suggested MI6 may have killed Alexander Litvinenko, played down invasion of Crimea, said Putin showed leadership in Syria
He said Russians thanked Putin for “unimaginable freedoms, “regained sense of national pride"
Fast Forward to 2019: Johnson said he wanted to give a peerage to Lebedev immediately after becoming PM
One former aide said he was “pathological” about it
Another believed it was a joke at first but said Johnson was determined
One former aide said he was “pathological” about it
Another believed it was a joke at first but said Johnson was determined
In March 2020, House of Lords Appointments Commission advised Johnson against nominating Lebedev
Peers cited national security concerns raised by British intelligence
Per source, PM reacted with disbelief, suggesting Lebedev couldn’t possibly be a risk
Peers cited national security concerns raised by British intelligence
Per source, PM reacted with disbelief, suggesting Lebedev couldn’t possibly be a risk
He then instructed officials to challenge intelligence assessment,
PM had rejected their analysis and wanted a specific reason why he couldn’t nominate Lebedev
Civil servant says this isn’t how intel works. PM seized on absence of one reason to re-submit nomination
PM had rejected their analysis and wanted a specific reason why he couldn’t nominate Lebedev
Civil servant says this isn’t how intel works. PM seized on absence of one reason to re-submit nomination
Keir Starmer has written to Lord Bew of Holac asking it to make two unprecedented decisions: review Lebedev’s peerage, publish its advice to the PM
Marina Litvinenko also calls for review
Lebedev refused to comment at all but on Friday denied being a national security risk
Marina Litvinenko also calls for review
Lebedev refused to comment at all but on Friday denied being a national security risk
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