‘Shamed’ Tory lobbies for sanctions-hit Russian firm
A TORY peer has “shamed himself” by lobbying for a Russian energy giant that had sanctions imposed after the Salisbury attack.
David Cameron’s ex-Energy Minister Greg Barker met with the Irish government last month in a bid to enlist its support for En+.
Lord Barker is chairman of En+, which is majority owned by Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a close ally of Vladimir Putin.
En+ and Mr Deripaska were slapped with sanctions after the murder plot against Sergei and Yulia Skripal in March. The meeting can be disclosed today by the Mirror. In response, MPs called on Theresa May to launch an inquiry into Lord Barker’s business dealings.
In April, Donald Trump imposed sanctions against billionaire Mr Deripaska and the companies in which he is a large shareholder.
His firms include aluminium producer, Rusal, and its parent firm En+. Rusal is the parent company of Aughinish Alumina in County Limerick, which employs 450 workers.
Lord Barker’s meeting with Irish Business Minister Heather Humphreys will raise questions about Tory links to Russia after the PM blamed the Salisbury attack on Moscow.
Lib Dem MP Tom Brake said: “He has shamed himself and the office he held.”
Jon Trickett MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, added: “It stinks.”
The Irish government said it remained “concerned” about the impact of sanctions.
There is no suggestion Lord Barker is in breach of the Lords’ code of conduct.
Neither he nor En+ would comment.