Government refuses to set deadline for transfer of Abramovich’s £2.6bn Chelsea funds, Liberal Democrats reveal

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Ministers have repeatedly failed to set a deadline for Roman Abramovich's legal team to transfer £2.6 billion in proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club to Ukrainian humanitarian causes, the Liberal Democrats have revealed.

In response to a parliamentary written question from Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller MP, asking what deadline has been provided, the Government admitted that no money has been transferred. Despite confirming that a previous 90-day licence period expired without progress, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Uma Kumaran MP avoided setting a new timeframe or confirming when court proceedings will begin.

When challenged again today during Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) oral questions by Calum Miller, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband refused to commit to a deadline, claiming ministers are "absolutely determined" to take action - something they have failed to do since the £2.6 billion was frozen in a UK bank account after the sale of the football club in May 2022.

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller MP said:

"It is completely unacceptable that over £2.6 billion meant for Ukrainian war victims continues to sit unused in a British bank account.

"The Government say they are 'absolutely determined' to resolve this, but its refusal to set a firm deadline tells a very different story. Empty promises mean nothing to the people of Ukraine who are enduring unimaginable hardship today, while Roman Abramovich's lawyers kick the can down the road.

"The Foreign Secretary must stop dragging his feet and take Abramovich to court."

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Parliamentary question here.

Oral question here (11:39:33).