Conservative MPs vote to cover up the truth about golden visas 

EMBARGO: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Conservative MPs have voted against a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill in the House of Commons which would have forced the Government to release their review of the so-called Golden Visa scheme.

The vote was lost 290-220. 

The review examines those golden visas which were issued between 2008 and April 2015, and has reviewed more than 6,000 golden visas for national security risks - over half of all those issued during this period. 10 golden visa recipients have since been sanctioned by the UK Government, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The review was initially launched in March 2018. Almost five years on, the review is yet to be published. 

Last week, Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Layla Moran MP, criticised the Government for trying to publish a summary of the review’s recommendations, rather than the review itself. 

The Liberal Democrats have said the review must be published immediately, with a wider review into those who came here on these visas but now have claimed UK citizenship.

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Layla Moran MP, said:

“The public have a right to know the truth about the Government’s actions on Golden Visas, but Conservative MPs have decided to sit on their hands. 

“Frankly, the whole thing stinks of a cover-up. We know Putin’s cronies used and abused this scheme - so why won’t the Government give us the full picture?

“If the Conservatives have nothing to hide, then they have nothing to fear. Liberal Democrats will keep pushing until the review is published in full.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor: 

1. Full text of the Liberal Democrat amendment
   
   To move the following Clause— 
   
   “Home Office review of the Tier 1 (Investor) visa scheme: publication 
   
   Within a day of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish in full the findings of the Home Office review of the Tier 1 (Investor) visa scheme which relate to economic crime.”
   
   Member's explanatory statement
   
   This new Clause would require the Government to publish relevant findings of its review of Tier 1 (investor) visas granted between June 2008 and April 2015 within two weeks of the Bill being passed.

2.  Written Ministerial Statement from Suella Braverman (12 Jan 23)