Lebedev accuses peerage critics of ‘snobbery and casual racism’

A NEWSPAPER proprietor awarded a peerage by Boris Johnson today condemns the ‘snobbery and casual racism’ of critics who have accused him of being one of the Prime Minister’s ‘cronies’.

Evgeny Lebedev, a friend of Mr Johnson, was part of the latest peerages list which included the Conservative leader’s close political allies, party donors and his own brother, Jo.

Now Mr Lebedev, who owns London’s Evening Standard and The Independent publication, has hit back in an article for today’s Mail on Sunday, describing the criticism as part of ‘a new wave of McCarthyism’, in which ‘trials by the social media mob’ are followed by denouncements and confessions resembling Stalinist show trials of the 1930s.

The ennoblement of Mr Lebedev, the Moscow-born son of a former KGB agent, came shortly after Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee warned of the growing influence of a ‘ Russian elite’ in British life.

After telling of his ‘real pride in becoming the first Russian peer’, the 40-year-old writes that he wants to ‘register my reaction to the snobbery and casual racism which is still widespread throughout British society – even in surprising places.

‘This is a racism that considers the House of Lords to be no place for someone such as me,’ he adds.

Mr Johnson’s 36 new peers included chief of staff Sir Eddie Lister, England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham – to whom Mr Johnson once compared himself – former Scottish Conservatives’ l eader Ruth Davidson and Tory donor Michael Spencer. Mr Lebedev was at the centre of controversy last year after it was claimed in evidence to the ISC’s inquiry into Russian influence that he had gathered damaging information on Mr Johnson during a celebrity- packed party, where guests included celebrities Joan Collins, Pixie Lott and Katie Price.

He was disappointed over claims he obtained ‘Kompromat’ – compromising material used for blackmail – during a visit by Mr Johnson to his villa in Umbria, Italy.

According to a Left-wing website, Mr Johnson travelled to Mr Lebedev’s villa in the hills near Perugia in October 2016, shortly after he became Foreign Secretary.

He was with his now estranged wife Marina Wheeler but without his usual entourage of close protection officers. It was one of several visits Mr Johnson has made to the villa, dating back to his time as London Mayor.

Mr Lebedev moved to London aged eight to be with his father, Alexander, and has remained in the UK ever since. In 2009, the pair bought a 65 per cent stake in the Evening Standard. A year later, he bought The I ndependent and launched the i newspaper.