Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Russia

08 May 2024 · 7 other contributors

Opened by James Cleverly Con Braintree

UkraineForeign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

James Cleverly raised concerns about russia in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The Minister announced charges under the National Security Act against five individuals for an alleged arson attack on a Ukraine-linked business.
  • The Minister highlighted Russian activity across Europe involving sabotage, espionage, cyber-attacks, and disinformation.
  • The government's support for Ukraine this year includes 3 billion in military aid.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

James Cleverly

The Minister announced measures to counter suspected Russian malign activities in the UK, including charges under the National Security Act against five individuals for an alleged arson attack on a Ukraine-linked business. The minister praised law enforcement agencies and highlighted broader patterns of Russian activity across Europe involving sabotage, espionage, cyber-attacks, and disinformation. He emphasised the government's support for Ukraine with £3 billion in military aid this year and sanctions worth over £22 billion on Russian assets. Additional measures include expelling a Russian defence attaché, removing diplomatic premises status from several properties, and imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas.

Other contributors (7)
  • Rehman Chishti Con Gillingham and Rainham

    Question

    Welcoming the update, Rehman Chishti asked if the UK would support US legislation to seize Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction. He mentioned his own similar Bill due for Second Reading on 17 May.

    Minister reply

    The Minister confirmed that the government works closely with international allies and will look at the details of US proposals. While there is a distinction between freezing and seizing assets, they aim to ensure that those who funded Ukraine's attack fund its rebuilding through close coordination with international partners.

  • Stewart McDonald SNP Glasgow South

    Question

    I thank the Home Secretary for advance sight of his statement. Like him, I pay tribute to those in law enforcement who work so diligently to counter these types of threats, which are extremely well known, and understood right across Europe. Disinformation and other types of hybrid threat are now a feature of democratic life in this country and elsewhere... (Full question text provided)

    Minister reply

    It is important that we are precise in our use of language. The Russian assets have been sanctioned and frozen, and there is an important difference between freezing and seizing. As far as I am aware, no one has seized or liquidated Russian assets... (Full answer text provided)

  • Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda

    Question

    I wholeheartedly support every word the Home Secretary has said today. He is right that Putin has been engaged now for at least 10 years—arguably longer—in a sustained, hostile and malign set of actions against the UK and our allies... (Full question text provided)

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman has asked a number of questions, some of which fall within the remit of the Foreign Secretary; the Deputy Foreign Secretary will answer in this House on the Foreign Secretary’s behalf... (Full answer text provided)

  • Barry Sheerman

    Question

    May I say what a pleasure it is to see that we are taking this seriously? The words of the Home Secretary filled me with renewed optimism, because we need both optimism and action. Does he agree that we can never underrate the Russians and Vladimir Putin... (Full question text provided)

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman speaks with great knowledge and passion about these important issues. He will of course understand that I will not go into detail about intelligence and security matters, but I can reassure him and the House that our intelligence services, the external-facing services and our security services... (Full answer text provided)

  • Kenny MacAskill

    Question

    Neither prosecutions nor penalties have been applied to those importing Russian oil that is refined in, and branded as coming from, India and other countries. At the same time, the threat of closure hangs over Grangemouth refinery... (Full question text provided)

    Minister reply

    This Government are committed to ensuring security. While they have not been universally applauded, the licences that we have awarded to ensure that there is a vibrant hydrocarbons industry in Scotland are important for jobs, for the Scottish economy, for the UK economy and for our energy security... (Full answer text provided)

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    I thank the Foreign Secretary for his statement and very much welcome his clear commitment, which encourages all of us in this House and across this great nation. Bearing in mind the overnight raid on Ukraine’s energy facilities... (Full question text provided)

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman raises an important point that I want to reinforce. It was quite clear that Vladimir Putin thought that the UK and our wider allies would be either distracted or dissuaded from supporting Ukraine when he initiated his full-scale invasion... (Full answer text provided)

Shadow Comment

Rehman Chishti

The shadow welcomed the government's update but questioned whether the UK would support US legislation to seize Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction. He introduced a similar Bill in Parliament due for Second Reading on 17 May.

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