Russia has announced fresh sanctions against 15 Members of Parliament and six peers from the United Kingdom, accusing them of making “hostile statements” and spreading “unfounded accusations” against the Kremlin.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as the UK’s ongoing campaign to “demonise” Russia and promote “anti-Russian narratives.” The sanctions bar the named individuals from entering Russian territory.
The list includes MPs from across the political spectrum, many of whom have vocally supported the seizure of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine’s war effort. Among those targeted are Labour MPs Phil Brickell, Jeevun Sandher, Johanna Baxter, and Blair McDougall, as well as Liberal Democrats Alistair Carmichael, Chris Coghlan, Helen Maguire, and James MacCleary. Also named were SNP’s Stephen Gethins and DUP’s Jim Shannon.
McDougall, a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, responded defiantly:
“Being targeted by this thuggish, criminal regime is a compliment. If speaking out against Putin makes me a target, it only highlights how fragile his regime truly is. We won’t stop standing up for Ukraine.”
Phil Brickell, who has visited Ukraine during the war, added:
“I’ve seen the devastation caused by Putin’s war firsthand. If he thinks sanctioning us will silence us, he’s sorely mistaken. He and his cronies must be held accountable. Slava Ukraini.”
Treasury Committee member Jeevun Sandher drew historical parallels in his response:
“Nearly a century ago, we made the mistake of letting dictators redraw borders through violence. We must not repeat that error. If that means facing Russian sanctions, so be it.”
Helen Maguire, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for defence, shared on X (formerly Twitter):
“My colleagues and I will wear this retaliatory sanction as a badge of honour.”
All four MPs have recently advocated for the UK and its allies to move forward with plans to confiscate frozen Russian central bank assets and redirect the funds to support Ukraine’s resistance.
The UK government has been one of the strongest proponents of asset seizure. Support for the move has grown within government circles, particularly after Foreign Secretary David Lammy publicly endorsed the measure earlier this year. However, other European nations, including France and Germany, along with institutions like the European Central Bank, have expressed caution—citing concerns about violating the principle of sovereign immunity and potentially deterring foreign investment from countries like China and Saudi Arabia.
Among the sanctioned peers are Lord David Alton, Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights; Kevan Jones, a former Labour MP and Intelligence and Security Committee member; and Ross Kempsell, a former adviser to Boris Johnson.
Notably, 13 of the 15 MPs sanctioned by Russia were newly elected in the 2024 general election. This follows a similar move in 2022, when Moscow blacklisted 287 UK parliamentarians in retaliation for British sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.