Does Russian money in the UK undermine the integrity of our foreign policy?
On Thursday 23 October the House of Lords EU external affairs committee will quiz representatives from the Treasury, the Financial Conduct Authority and also a Russian democracy activist.
The House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on External Affairs, which is investigating the relationship between EU and Russia, will this week take a close look at the financial implications of Russian capital in the UK, and whether EU and UK anti money-laundering strategies might jeopardise relations with Russia.
The committee will also hear from Vladimir Kara-Murza, Coordinator of the Open Russia initiative, and former candidate for the Russian Parliament. He will be asked about the opposition view of EU sanctions, and whether or not he believes that EU and NATO expansion poses a significant threat to Russia.
The evidence session is part of a Lords inquiry into the relationship between the EU and Russia, which is expected to report in early 2015.
At 10.05am the Committee will hear from Tracey McDermott, Director of Enforcement and Financial Crime, Financial Conduct Authority, and Shona Riach, Director International, HM Treasury.
At approximately 11.05am the committee will take evidence from Vladimir Kara-Murza, Coordinator of the Open Russia initiative.
Questions the Committee may ask include:
- Does the presence of significant amounts of Russian capital in the UK pose a threat to the integrity of UK institutions and Government policy?
- Should anti-corruption regulations be made more consistent across the EU and the UK?
- How has Russia committed to enforcing its own guidelines on combatting corruption?
- What has been the impact of EU sanctions on the Russian government? How are they viewed by the other political parties and by the wider public?
- What is the opposition view in Russia of the relationship between the EU and Russia?
- How should the EU try to address Russia's concerns about rights of nationals, expansion of NATO and the economic impact of EU agreements?
The evidence sessions will start at 10.05am on Thursday 23 October in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.
The session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.
