Boris Johnson could not provide a citation for the peerage of Evgeny Lebedev

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Boris Johnson has nominated a Russian newspaper owner for a seat in the House of Lords without giving any formal reason for the appointment, newly released Commission Nominations data shows.

In the year In July 2020, British citizen Evgeny Lebedev was granted a lifetime seat in the Upper House of Parliament as Baron Lebedev of Richmond-upon-Thames and Hampton in the Thames borough of London, as part of the former prime minister’s list of political partners. Siberia in the Russian Federation.

The House of Lords Nominations Commission (HOLAC) had warned of Lebedev’s appointment, sparking outrage when it was reported in the media that his appointment as a peer posed a national security threat in connection with the Evening Standard and his independent family background.

Holak said the eight commissioners, three of whom represent major political parties and the rest are apolitical, usually receive a letter of citation for each appointee, but “did not receive a citation for Mr. Lebedev when he was appointed.” In response to a Freedom of Information request by the Financial Times.

Alexander Lebedev, Evgeny’s father, was an officer in the KGB and one of its subordinate agencies, the FSB. Alexander has since been sanctioned by Canada for supporting “Vladimir Putin’s senseless war in Ukraine” and Ukraine being “directly or indirectly controlled by foreign residents”.

The security service briefed Johnson in person in Downing Street after the former prime minister decided to go ahead with the security advice given to Holak, despite knowing about it.

Holak declined to comment on Lebedev’s appointment. But he welcomed the government’s recent decision to publish citations for nominees. The public body, which is unable to vote against the appointees, checks for possible misconduct after seeking their consent.

In the year Lord Michael J, who presided over Hallack between 2008 and 2013, said: “I can’t recall any opinion without any citations – but some without much explanation of who the person was or why. They told me they were without any explanation. Delivered forward.

Lord George Foulkes, a Labor peer on Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee, said: “My concerns about Lord Lebedev’s peerage are mainly for security reasons but also because he will not be at the meeting.” I am considering the best way to pursue this further, including referring it to the Defamation Committee.

A spokesman for Johnson said: “This is nonsense, every person appointed to the Lords goes through due process by the authorities. Lord Lebedev’s outstanding contribution to British journalism was evident in that process. The Security Service did not advise against this appointment.

Evgeny Lebedev’s personal office did not respond to a request for comment.