READING Labour has called on Alok Sharma to forward Russian donations to support Ukrainians.
According to the Daily Mail, the West Reading MP has received £25,000 in donations from businesses associated with Russian businessman, Alexander Temerko.
Currently director of Aquind, an energy company based in the UK, Mr Temerko has personally donated more than £700,000 to the Conservative party.
In an open letter to Mr Sharma, Cllr Sophia James, chair of Reading Labour party and Cllr Jason Brock, leader of Reading Borough Council, have requested Mr Sharma donate £25,000 to groups supporting Ukrainian refugees.
The open letter can be read in full below:
Dear Alok,
We are writing with regard to the tragedy that is unfolding as a result of Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
This is a war that has, rightly, been condemned internationally. It is a war without justification and is being perpetrated against a free democratic state. Moreover, it is clear that Russian forces are targeting residential areas of Ukrainian cities, already resulting in a number of civilian deaths. Targeting civilians is, as you will know, a war crime.
We are therefore sure that people in Reading West, and across Reading, would be disturbed to learn that you have received £25,000 in donations from businesses associated with Alexander Temerko, a Russian businessman who has spoken in positive terms about one of Vladimir Putin’s closest allies, Nikolai Patrushev, the head of Russia’s Security Council.
We stand by Ukraine through this appalling attack on human rights, democracy and freedom. Given that sanctions make returning donations to Mr Temerko’s companies inappropriate, we are therefore asking that you make a donation equivalent to the amount that you received to one of the charities that is supporting Ukrainian refugees.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Sophia James Cllr Jason Brock
Chair of Reading Labour Party Leader of Reading Borough Council
In response to the letter, Mr Sharma said: “Individuals have to be on the UK electoral register in order to give to a UK political party, and companies have to be UK registered.
“These donations have been have been declared in line with Parliamentary rules and were published with full transparency on the Register of Members’ Interests.
“In your letter you make reference to Alexander Temerko, who I would note is a Ukrainian born British citizen, and has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
Mr Sharma joined Cllr Brock and Cllr James in condemning the invasion of Ukraine, calling it “illegal and barbaric”.
