Pressure on the Tories after the imposition of sanctions against the Russian oligarch, the father of Lord Lebedev

In 2019, Evgeniy and Alexander Lebedev released Elder's book «Hunting for a Banker: Confessions of a Russian Former Oligarch» Credit : Getty

Peer's father Russian-born Yevgeny Lebedev, who received a noble rank from Boris Johnson, is under Ukrainian sanctions.

Vladimir Zelensky signed a decree authorizing the freezing of the assets of Alexander Lebedev, a former KGB intelligence officer.

Downing Street will find this an embarrassing event given his son's highly publicized Tory links.

The UK has sanctioned 1,604 people over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but hasn't avoided hitting Lebedev.The revelation that Alexander was chosen by Kiev for undermining its sovereignty will put great pressure on ministers to change course.

Eugene, who was made a life peer in 2020 and is now a cross-bench judge, owns the Evening Standard newspaper and The Independent website.

He has been a British citizen since 2010 and has condemned Vladimir Putin's war, insisting on your own. he «has no ties to the Kremlin.»

The Cabinet of Ministers previously told parliament that he was «a man of good repute.»

Evgeny Lebedev has British citizenship Photo: Getty

Oleksandr worked for the Russian intelligence services until 1992 and owns several assets in Russian-occupied Crimea, including a hotel.

Last year, he was sanctioned by Canada along with 13 other oligarchs whom the country accused of facilitating a «senseless» invasion . Ukraine.

Ukraine's decision to impose sanctions against him was taken in October last year and was first reported on the Tortoise website on Thursday.

News of the move will again draw attention to the relationship between Mr. Johnson, former prime minister, and both Lebedevs.

Mr. Johnson said: as far as I know, he and the former KGB agent did not discuss state affairs. Photo: Ian West/PA Wire

In April 2018, as Foreign Minister, he spent a weekend at the Italian Villa Alexandra, abandoning his usual duties. security detail.

After questions about the nature of the visit, he told the deputies that it was a personal trip and that no state affairs were discussed, «as far as I know.»