Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

CPS Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate

Thursday 5 February 2026 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rachel Taylor asked the Solicitor General about the shadow Attorney General's recusal from advising the Conservative party on Ukraine and financial sanctions due to representing a sanctioned Russian billionaire.
  • Jim Shannon inquired about the expansion of the victims' right to review scheme for rape and serious sexual assault survivors.
  • The Solicitor General responded, expressing gratitude and affirming discussions to ensure the scheme supports victims more effectively in the justice system.

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachel Taylor Lab North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Ukraine Standards & Ethics
Context

The question follows an assessment on the Crown Prosecution Service’s serious economic, organised crime and international directorate's work. Rachel Taylor references a conflict of interest involving the shadow Attorney General advising Roman Abramovich.

Question

As a practising solicitor for more than 20 years, I am aware of the rules and professional guidance on conflicts of interest. Does the Solicitor General agree that the shadow Attorney General recusing himself from giving legal advice to the Leader of the Opposition because he would rather profit from advising Abramovich demonstrates where the priorities lie for this Conservative party when it comes to backing the Government on economic sanctions in defence of Ukraine and our national security?

Answer from The Solicitor General

It is utterly indefensible that the shadow Attorney General in the other place is acting as a lawyer for sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. He has recused himself from giving legal advice to the Conservative party on the issue of Ukraine and financial sanctions, sacrificing a key element of his role in order to work against our national interests. The Government are putting national security at the heart of every decision and stands in staunch solidarity with Ukraine.

Answered
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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland
Context

Jim Shannon refers to an expansion of the victims’ right to review scheme, allowing rape and serious sexual assault survivors to request a case review by a different prosecutor before a final no-evidence decision.

Question

The Solicitor General announced an expansion of the victims’ right to review scheme, allowing rape and serious sexual assault survivors who request a case review by a different prosecutor before a final no-evidence decision is made. That is welcome news. What discussion has taken place with counterparts across the United Kingdom—the Policing and Justice Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly in particular—to ensure that there is a UK-wide path to justice?

Answer from The Solicitor General

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his comments on the victims’ right to review scheme, which will give victims of rape and serious sexual violence a greater voice in the justice system. Too often, victims feel let down by a system that is supposed to be there to support them. I will ensure that I speak to my colleagues in the Northern Ireland Office to see what more can be done in respect of Northern Ireland.

Partly answered
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