I have been informed that I have been sanctioned by the Russian Government for my role in the UK’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions will prevent me from any travel to or dealings with Russia.
I am proud of my tough stance against Russian aggression in Ukraine and the role that I have played, working with Ministerial colleagues, on the UK’s sanctions regime. I am currently working closely with the Government and cross-party colleagues on the second Economic Crime Bill, which will come to Parliament in the summer. Together with colleagues I am working to ensure that it is extremely tough on corrupt dirty money from Russia and elsewhere.
We must continue to enforce our punitive sanctions against Russia, depriving Putin and his cronies of money stolen from the Russian people. This money should be paying for the healthcare and education of Russian people, but it is now funding the very bombs dropping on hospitals and schools in cities across Ukraine.
I regard being sanctioned by the criminal gang masquerading as the Russian Government to be a badge of pride.
