Boris Johnson today corrected his false claim that Roman Abramovich was facing sanctions as part of a crackdown on Russian oligarchs.
The Prime Minister had claimed yesterday that the Chelsea FC owner was “already facing sanctions" - a claim disputed by Labour MP Chris Bryant among others.
It was one of a string of times Mr Johnson has made false statements to Parliament, with others including claims about employment figures and Britain’s Covid recovery.
But in a rare move, Downing Street admitted the PM “mis-spoke” in this instance and he has now formally corrected the record.
Mr Johnson said in a written ministerial statement to Parliament: “Roman Abramovich has not been the subject of targeted measures.
“More generally, anyone who comes to this country on an Israeli passport is a non-visa national. Israelis are required to obtain a visa if they want to live, work or study in the UK.”
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Image:
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Mr Abramovich had issues around his entrepreneurial visa in 2018.
In October 2021, the businessman's spokesperson confirmed he travelled to London as an Israeli citizen - therefore entering the United Kingdom without the need for a visa.
Boris Johnson ’s spokesman said he was “not aware” of any contact between Roman Abramovich - or his lawyers - and No10 ahead of the correction.
Asked why the PM was correcting the record now, and not after several other times he was accused of misleading Parliament, the spokesman said: “He corrects the record when appropriate”.
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