Russia visa applications dealt with ‘vigorously’ as Abramovich rejected

Visa applications from Russia are dealt with “rigorously and properly”, Downing Street said after billionaire Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s document had not been renewed.

The UK government is examining investor visas issued to Russians in the wake of the Salisbury nerve agent attack and the deterioration in relations with Moscow.

Downing Street would not be drawn on the circumstances surrounding Mr Abramovich, stressing: “We don’t discuss individual cases.”

Mr Abramovich’s investor 0 Roman Abramovich’s visa is said to have expired visa has reportedly expired. John Mann, the 51-year-old’s Moscow-based spokesman, said it was a private matter and there would be no comment.

The Home Office is examin- ing its approach to the Tier 1 investor route, which requires applicants to be prepared to invest £2 million in the UK, following the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in March.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “In 2014/15, we took action to tighten up the Tier 1 investor route, including the introduction of new powers to refuse applications where there are reasonable grounds to believe funds have been obtained unlawfully.

“As a result of these reforms applications reduced by 84 per cent.”

There are about 700 existing UK visas for Russian investors.