Corrupt officials face new UK sanctions

Russian officials involved in corruption and human rights abuse could be targeted in a tough new sanctions regime in co-ordination with the United States and Canada.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd have reportedly agreed to introduce a British version of the US “Magnitsky Act”. The American legislation, passed in 2012, was designed to punish Russian officials involved in the death in custody of the lawyer Sergei Magnitsky while he was investigating official corruption.

It has since been extended to apply worldwide, with the US authorities publishing a list of “gross violators of human rights”.

Conservative MPS seeking similar legislation in the UK confirmed discussions were ongoing about including “Magnitsky amendments” into the Sanctions Bill currently going through Parliament.

Meanwhile the Conservative Party was facing criticism after The Sunday Times reported that it had declared donations of more than £820,000 from “Russian-linked supporters” since Theresa May became Prime Minister in July 2016.