British firms’ links with Russia under the spotlight in US

US CONGRESSIONAL investigators have launched an inquiry into possible links between British-based companies owned by Russian oligarchs and their relationship with Russia’s intelligence agencies.

The move follows concerns by US congressmen over the extent of Russian meddling in both the US and Europe, with several oligarchs with close ties to President Vladimir Putin forming the main focus of the inquiry. Among the Uk-based companies that have aroused the interest of investigators is EN+, the energy company owned by Oleg Deripaska and chaired by Tory peer Lord Barker of Battle.

Mr Deripaska, a close ally of Mr Putin, is already under investigation from congressional committees over allegations, which the oligarch denies, that he was involved in efforts to interfere with the 2016 presidential elections.

Recent documents released by the FBI revealed Mr Deripaska loaned $10 million to Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s campaign manager, who has been charged with fraud and moneylaundering. Mr Deripaska is one of several Russian oligarchs who were hit with US sanctions in April.

US investigators say they are interested in apparent links between British-based companies owned by Russian oligarchs and Russian intelligence agencies. Their interest in EN+ comes after FBI officers identified Evgeny Fokin, the company’s director of international co-operation, as formerly being the declared liaison officer of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) with US intelligence agencies in Washington DC in the mid-1990s.

Meanwhile the Home Office has said it is to suspend Tier-1 or so-called “gold-plated” visas, which are often used by oligarchs and the super-rich wishing to come to Britain.