Cut off Russia’s dirty money, MPs plead

FRESH sanctions on Vladimir Putin’s cronies will be urged today to stem “dirty money” harming UK security.

The Foreign Affairs Committee will warn British foreign policy interests are at risk unless ministers act to “target more individuals closely linked to President Putin’s regime”.

Chairman Tom Tugendhat said: “The scale of damage this ‘dirty money’ can do dwarfs the benefit of Russian transactions in the City.”

The report notes it is “business as usual” for Russian oligarchs despite the poisoning of ex-KGB man Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia in March.

Tory Mr Tugendhat added: “There is no excuse to turn a blind eye as President Putin’s kleptocrats and human rights abusers use money laundered through London to corrupt our friends, weaken our alliances, and erode our institutions.”

More than £250,000 has so far been paid out by Wiltshire Council to help 38 businesses in Salisbury facing ruin due to the poisoning.