Russia hired British politicians to ‘go after’ enemies of Vladimir Putin claims human rights campaigner in astonishing secret evidence to MPs
- Bill Browder made explosive allegations to intelligence and security committee
- Claimed Moscow ‘infiltrated’ UK society using well-paid British intermediaries
- Included Labour and Tory politicians, former intelligence officers and diplomats
Russia allegedly hired a network of British politicians and consultants to help ‘go after’ Vladimir Putin’s enemies in London, MPs were told.
Bill Browder, a human rights campaigner and former fund manager in Russia, made the explosive allegations in his testimony to the intelligence and security committee.
In secret evidence submitted to MPs who wrote the Russia report, it was claimed Moscow had ‘infiltrated’ UK society by using well-paid British intermediaries.
The alleged intermediaries include politicians from the Labour and Tory parties, as well as former intelligence officers and diplomats and leading public relations firms.
In secret evidence submitted to MPs who wrote the Russia report, it was claimed Moscow (Vladimir Putin pictured yesterday) had ‘infiltrated’ UK society by using well-paid British intermediaries
Bill Browder, a human rights campaigner and former fund manager in Russia, made the explosive allegations in his testimony to the intelligence and security committee
The Russia report was controversially suppressed by Boris Johnson during the election and has still not been published.
But the Guardian decided to publish Mr Browder’s previously confidential evidence to the ISC.
It emerged that Mr Browder told MPs on the committee that intermediaries, including public figures, had ‘reason to know exactly what they are doing and for whom’.
Others ‘work unwittingly for Russian state interests’, he said, according to the Guardian.
Mr Browder said the politicians and consultants formed a ‘western buffer network’ and they helped to advance Moscow’s criminal interests.
He did not accuse any individuals of breaking the law. The names of those involved were not published.
Mr Browder claimed that Moscow used these professionals in order to mask its ‘entangled’ state and criminal interests.
They were used to attack Mr Putin’s critics, help spread disinformation and also ‘facilitate and conceal massive money-laundering operations’.
Mr Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov called Mr Browder’s claims false and ‘totally groundless’.
He said questions about corruption at the heart of the Russian state were ‘a perfect example of a maniac-style Russophobia’.
Mr Johnson came under fire repeatedly during the election after he refused to publish the report despite intelligence agencies signing it off.
The move fuelled speculation that the report will criticise links between the Russians and Tory donors.