Evgeny Lebedev’s nomination for a peerage was paused after advice from MI5 and was only ultimately approved with a letter advising his appointment would be controversial, the chair of House of Lords appointments commission has told MPs.
Giving evidence on Wednesday morning, Lord Bew said that MI5 had raised security concerns when the Evening Standard owner was put forward for a peerage by Downing Street in March 2020 – which prompted “a protracted period” of review.
Bew did not spell out what those concerns were to MPs on the public administration and constitutional affairs committee, but it is understood that the agencies had initially flagged up that Lebedev’s father, Alexander, was a former KGB agent, prompting the commission to press for further details.
The commission, Bew said, had received advice that “required further elucidation”, a process that he admitted “went on for some weeks”. He added: “Does that constitute a pause? I suppose so.” » | Dan Sabbagh, Defence and security editor | Wednesday, April 20, 2022
