boris johnson – Rod McCall

UK Conservative Party Linked to the Kremlin (and assorted other nasties)

In the few short months since Brexit, which we were told would be a gift to Vladimir Putin it is now becoming clear that the British Conservative Party has strong links with the Kremlin. Which may also help explain why Russian aircraft are given free tours when they enter UK airspace, er sorry are escorted out of UK territory.

According to The Times a number of senior Conservative MPs and councilors have been writing nice things about the Kremlin’s policy in among other areas Crimea and Syria. Many also received direct benefits or benefits -in-kind. One who benefited was John Redwood (one of Britain’s leading Brexiters) who according to the UK Register of MPs interests had some connections in the Russia direction. Not that there is anything wrong with that. When asked about the money he denied he knew of its origin. Perhaps we should not be overly surprised of his naivety or stupidity, as when he was the Secretary of State for Wales he famously was unable to sing the Welsh National Anthem.

The Conservative Party has never received any money itself from bad sources although one of its previous fund raisers Sir Brian Wyldbore-Smith (yes that is his name) was involved in raising funds from interesting sources. Indeed newspaper articles from the 90s reveal a culture of secret donations but nothing illegal of course.

We should not think of course that there is any link between the increased interest in working towards a trade deal with Russia or in intelligence sharing and the incentives given to leading politicians.

This article was published on my original blog in February 2017. I have kept the original posting date. Those in doubt can check on web.archive.org.

UK Set to Become World’s Leading Money Laundry

Canary Wharf, London. Image: Kleon3 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

In a desperate attempt to prevent the estimated loss of up to 45% of foreign direct investment (Source: London School of Economics) which goes to the financial services sector in the UK, the UK Government is to roll back legislation for money launderers, drug dealers, Middle Eastern Dictators and Russian Billionaires. Theresa May’s recent pledge on a low tax and dynamic finance sector can only mean one thing, more dodgy cash in the UK. Indeed the UK (including some dependencies) is responsible for 4 of the 15 worst money laundering areas in the World, so it already has form. Also many UK banks have been fined by the US for assisting in money laundering.

Capital inflows from illegal activities are nothing new, indeed during the 2008 banking crash the UN estimated that 350bn USD suddenly appeared in the world’s financial system. Much of it making it’s way through British territories and then on to London.

Middle Eastern states and Russian oligarchs have already been very successful in placing cash in the UK financial services sector and (usually) London based property schemes. Some are already believed to have seized on the opportunities that Brexit presents, namely the lack if oversight of where there money comes from. Meanwhile the legitimate operations of many UK financial institutions will simply move to more transparent counties such as Germany, France and Luxembourg. Putting Luxembourg and banking transparency together may sound a little odd, however over the last 10-11 years this tiny country (where I live) has significantly boosted its compliance worldwide with some very thorough “know your client” rules being put in place.

Responsibility for negotiating financial arrangements with non-EU countries will rest with The Disgraced Former Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox. One should perhaps pay a little more attention to his register of members interests to see just who may wield influence in future.

This article was published on my original blog in January 2017. You can check out web.archive.org for proof.