There is war in Ukraine. We have sanctions. So why would the UK Treasury help Putin’s brutal ally? | Pat McFadden

Claims that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of the Wagner Group, a key part of Russia’s military machine, was aided in a libel action must be run to ground

It should never have taken the invasion of Ukraine to force a re-examination of the UK’s easy accommodation of Russian oligarchs’ dirty money. For years ministers have turned a blind eye while London became the haven of choice for many of Putin’s allies. But with the invasion launched there could be no more not asking questions. No more looking the other way.

The purchase of mansions, the laundering of money, the use of expensive legal firms and consultants by allies of Putin and the Russian regime were all brought into stark relief as the Ukrainian army and people fought for their lives and their country.

Pat McFadden is shadow chief secretary to the Treasury

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.