Lib Dems force Government to end Russian sanctions exemption

EMBARGO: Immediate Release 

Lib Dems force Government to end Russian sanctions exemption

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Lords, Lord Purvis, has secured a commitment from the Government that it will close the previously open-ended exemption on the ban of trade in Russian refined oil products. 

A previously open-ended exemption on the ban of trade in Russian refined oil products will now cease no later than the end of the year. After pressure from the Liberal Democrats the government has announced it will now set a clear end of January 1st 2027, with a sunset provision, which had not been in place when the exemption was introduced on the 19 May. 

The Lib Dem leader in the Lords, Jeremy Purvis, who himself is sanctioned by the Russian government, told ministers in a series of meetings he would use a rare Lords procedure to force the government to act if it didn’t do so. 

Lord Jeremy Purvis, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, said:  

 “The Liberal Democrats support the strongest possible sanctions against the Putin war economy, and I was very disappointed there was an open-ended exemption on a key part of them. After a number of discussions with the Government, I am pleased that it has changed course today and has now given a very clear date when this loophole will be closed. I am grateful to the minister, Stephen Doughty, for engaging with me positively and for making this change. 

 “Whilst I would have preferred no exemption at all, we now have a clear timeframe when this trade must cease and we can focus on putting as much pressure as possible on the Putin regime, and support our Ukrainian friends.” 

ENDS