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25 May 20
13:05
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05 Apr 06
Labour questions Dominic Cummings's links to Russia
Do the Russians have Kompromat on Cummings and Johnson?
Emily Thornberry writes to government asking for details of No 10 security vetting
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https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/03/dominic-cummings-labour-questions-russia-links
The shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, has written to the government with questions about Dominic Cummings’s connections to Russia and the levels of security vetting to which he has been subjected in Downing Street after an official-level whistleblower raised serious concerns.
Cummings, the divisive senior adviser to the prime minister, Boris Johnson, spent three years in Russia from 1994 to 1997 after he graduated from Oxford University with a first in ancient and modern history.
In her letter addressed to the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, which was first reported on in the Sunday Times and has been seen by the Guardian, Thornberry says shadow ministers have been approached with “serious concerns by an official-level whistleblower” but adds: “We make no claim to know the veracity of their claims.”
She then asks what level of security vetting Cummings was subjected to prior to his appointment at No 10.
“I would assume that – given the seniority of his position and the influence it gives him over decision-making at the top of government – that he was subject to the highest level of developed vetting (DV) and that – as a result – he is able to study ‘top secret’ intelligence material and attend meetings on the UK’s military and security operations overseas,” she writes.
The Cabinet Office said: “We do not comment on individuals’ security clearance.” The Guardian approached Downing Street, which had nothing further to add to the Cabinet Office statement.
The shadow foreign secretary asks a number of further questions in relation to Cummings’s relationship with Russia, on the assumption that he has been subjected to the highest level of developed vetting. She asks:
What was Cummings’s relationship with academics at Oxford University, and did they discuss the possibility of working to support the post-communist Russian government?
Was Cummings questioned about the purpose of his three-year period of work in post-communist Russia between 1994 and 1997, including relationships with figures in Russian politics, intelligence and security?
Was Cummings questioned about relationships with members of the group Conservative Friends of Russia?
The letter is copied to Sir Mark Sedwill, head of the civil service, as well as the heads of MI5 and MI6 and the chair of the intelligence and security committee (ISC), Dominic Grieve.
Grieve this week accused the prime minister of sitting on an ISC report on Russian interference in British politics, including the 2016 EU referendum. The ISC said it had expected Johnson to approve publication of the 50-page dossier by Thursday – and there was now a risk its publication would be prevented before the general election.
It is understood that the dossier examines allegations that Russian money has flowed into British politics in general and the Conservative party in particular. It also features claims that Russia launched a major influence operation in 2016 in support of Brexit.
Cummings was the campaign director and co-founder of Vote Leave, the official campaign in support of leaving the EU, which was found to have broken the law by exceeding a £7m spending limit. Vote Leave was fined and referred to the police, who earlier this week handed a file to prosecutors for consideration.
Do the Russians have Kompromat on Cummings and Johnson?
Emily Thornberry writes to government asking for details of No 10 security vetting
.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/03/dominic-cummings-labour-questions-russia-links
The shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, has written to the government with questions about Dominic Cummings’s connections to Russia and the levels of security vetting to which he has been subjected in Downing Street after an official-level whistleblower raised serious concerns.
Cummings, the divisive senior adviser to the prime minister, Boris Johnson, spent three years in Russia from 1994 to 1997 after he graduated from Oxford University with a first in ancient and modern history.
In her letter addressed to the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, which was first reported on in the Sunday Times and has been seen by the Guardian, Thornberry says shadow ministers have been approached with “serious concerns by an official-level whistleblower” but adds: “We make no claim to know the veracity of their claims.”
She then asks what level of security vetting Cummings was subjected to prior to his appointment at No 10.
“I would assume that – given the seniority of his position and the influence it gives him over decision-making at the top of government – that he was subject to the highest level of developed vetting (DV) and that – as a result – he is able to study ‘top secret’ intelligence material and attend meetings on the UK’s military and security operations overseas,” she writes.
The Cabinet Office said: “We do not comment on individuals’ security clearance.” The Guardian approached Downing Street, which had nothing further to add to the Cabinet Office statement.
The shadow foreign secretary asks a number of further questions in relation to Cummings’s relationship with Russia, on the assumption that he has been subjected to the highest level of developed vetting. She asks:
What was Cummings’s relationship with academics at Oxford University, and did they discuss the possibility of working to support the post-communist Russian government?
Was Cummings questioned about the purpose of his three-year period of work in post-communist Russia between 1994 and 1997, including relationships with figures in Russian politics, intelligence and security?
Was Cummings questioned about relationships with members of the group Conservative Friends of Russia?
The letter is copied to Sir Mark Sedwill, head of the civil service, as well as the heads of MI5 and MI6 and the chair of the intelligence and security committee (ISC), Dominic Grieve.
Grieve this week accused the prime minister of sitting on an ISC report on Russian interference in British politics, including the 2016 EU referendum. The ISC said it had expected Johnson to approve publication of the 50-page dossier by Thursday – and there was now a risk its publication would be prevented before the general election.
It is understood that the dossier examines allegations that Russian money has flowed into British politics in general and the Conservative party in particular. It also features claims that Russia launched a major influence operation in 2016 in support of Brexit.
Cummings was the campaign director and co-founder of Vote Leave, the official campaign in support of leaving the EU, which was found to have broken the law by exceeding a £7m spending limit. Vote Leave was fined and referred to the police, who earlier this week handed a file to prosecutors for consideration.
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I think you mean the FSB. Its not improbable, but unlikely him being such a staid character. But yes, 'Russia' is another bullet in the chamber for him down the road.
The fact that he has gifted opponents this opportunity is remarkable. He'd probably survive any Russia accusations on their own.
FSB was formed 12 April 1995 so the KGB were in operation when he arrived.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Security_Service
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Security_Service
In 1991, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the KGB split into the Federal Security Service and the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KGB
The KGB was the primary security agency for the Soviet Union from 1954 until its collapse in 1991.
https://www.history.com/topics/russia/kgb
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KGB
The KGB was the primary security agency for the Soviet Union from 1954 until its collapse in 1991.
https://www.history.com/topics/russia/kgb
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The CIA would have more clout in Russia in the 90's. Russia was basically run by the West, they went in and gutted the country. Cummings was working for a company that was part of that pillaging.
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KGB / FSB ....the Russian security services
Boris Johnson's connections to Russia
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https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/22/johnson-visit-to-lebedev-party-after-victory-odd-move-for-peoples-pm
Johnson visit to Lebedev party after victory odd move for 'people's PM'
Luke Harding and Dan Sabbagh
Published on Sun 22 Dec 2019 15.25 GMT
It was the equivalent of a V-sign cheerfully flashed at his critics. The day after his landslide election victory, Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds dropped into a caviar-fuelled Christmas party in London hosted by former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev and his son Evgeny.
During the campaign Johnson had stubbornly refused to publish the Russia report, written by the last parliament’s intelligence and security committee.
Its contents have still not been revealed. But it is understood to examine the extent of Moscow influence on British politics – and the way in which the Russian elite has established a powerful lobby in the UK through lavish expenditure and networking.
The Lebedev family insist that they are merely entrepreneurs and media proprietors. Nonetheless, the party – held to celebrate Alexander’s 60th birthday – was a practical demonstration of how extensive their connections are, stretching all the way to Downing Street.
Johnson was one of several top politicians who turned up to the event, held at the Lebedev family’s £6m stuccoed mansion overlooking Regent’s Park. Guests included David and Samantha Cameron and George Osborne, now a Lebedev employee as Evening Standard editor. From the Blairite left, Peter Mandelson and Tristram Hunt were also in attendance.
.....
( more details in article )
KGB / FSB ....the Russian security services
Boris Johnson's connections to Russia
.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/22/johnson-visit-to-lebedev-party-after-victory-odd-move-for-peoples-pm
Johnson visit to Lebedev party after victory odd move for 'people's PM'
Luke Harding and Dan Sabbagh
Published on Sun 22 Dec 2019 15.25 GMT
It was the equivalent of a V-sign cheerfully flashed at his critics. The day after his landslide election victory, Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds dropped into a caviar-fuelled Christmas party in London hosted by former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev and his son Evgeny.
During the campaign Johnson had stubbornly refused to publish the Russia report, written by the last parliament’s intelligence and security committee.
Its contents have still not been revealed. But it is understood to examine the extent of Moscow influence on British politics – and the way in which the Russian elite has established a powerful lobby in the UK through lavish expenditure and networking.
The Lebedev family insist that they are merely entrepreneurs and media proprietors. Nonetheless, the party – held to celebrate Alexander’s 60th birthday – was a practical demonstration of how extensive their connections are, stretching all the way to Downing Street.
Johnson was one of several top politicians who turned up to the event, held at the Lebedev family’s £6m stuccoed mansion overlooking Regent’s Park. Guests included David and Samantha Cameron and George Osborne, now a Lebedev employee as Evening Standard editor. From the Blairite left, Peter Mandelson and Tristram Hunt were also in attendance.
.....
( more details in article )
These Russians in the West are 'Approved' or 'Good' Russians. They made their money in the 90's and help facilitate the extraction of wealth for the West.
Don't get me wrong, the Russia report will provide some fodder if needed, but I don't think it will get too far - too many people involved across the political divide.
Don't get me wrong, the Russia report will provide some fodder if needed, but I don't think it will get too far - too many people involved across the political divide.
I don't see Russia as our enemy myself?
Yes I know there is disagreement over Crimea.....but I like Russians myself
Yes I know there is disagreement over Crimea.....but I like Russians myself
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