Overview
- Conservative peer Lord David Wolfson is acting for Roman Abramovich in ongoing Jersey proceedings over assets linked to the sanctioned billionaire.
- Justice minister Jake Richards has written to Tory leaders alleging a clear conflict of interest and urging Wolfson to choose between his shadow role and the client work.
- A Conservative source says Kemi Badenoch has full confidence in Wolfson, citing the Bar’s cab‑rank rule and arguing he is not instructed on the Chelsea proceeds.
- Conservative frontbencher Alex Burghart told Richards the Jersey litigation is unrelated to the donation of Chelsea sale proceeds and does not involve the UK government.
- The UK says a licence allows transfer of more than £2.5bn from the 2022 Chelsea sale for Ukraine, while Abramovich’s representatives argue funds cannot move until the Jersey case ends and campaigners urge emergency curbs on delay tactics.