Angela Rayner today blasted the Tories for “cavorting with Russian oligarchs in luxury villas while neglecting the security of the British people” in a furious PMQs clash.
Labour ’s deputy accused Boris Johnson of going “cap in hand from one dictator to another on a begging mission” as he jetted to Saudi Arabia to ask for help supplying Britain’s oil.
And standing in opposite Dominic Raab, while the PM made his trip due to the Ukraine-Russia war, she accused the Tories of being too reliant upon Russian money before now.
She demanded to know if the Prime Minister challenged security services advice to give his pal Evgeny Lebedev, media mogul and son of ex-KGB agent Alexander, a peerage in 2020.
She said the “close personal friend” of the Prime Minister gave him “thousands of pounds of gifts” and “champagne and caviar”.
Yet Deputy PM Dominic Raab failed to answer the question - instead angrily branding her claims “sheer nonsense”.
He repeatedly pointed out she wanted Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister, to Tory cheers and a telling-off from the Commons Speaker.
The cornered top Tory even claimed Boris Johnson is a “very social individual!” to ask why he flocked to luxurious parties with wealthy people with Russian links.
MPs openly laughed as he claimed: “All individuals nominated for a peerage are done so in recognition of what their contribution is to society.
“That includes those of Russian origin who contribute brilliantly to our nation, many of whom in this country are critics of the Putin regime.
“Peerages are vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC) for matters of probity and frankly she should know better.”
Downing Street have repeatedly refused to say if the HOLAC initially recommended against Lord Lebedev getting a peerage, as has been reported by the Sunday Times.
MPs taunted the Prime Minister over his trips to parties hosted by Lord Lebedev including in Italy - and his decision to play tennis and accept Conservative donations from Lubov Chernukhin, the banker wife of Putin’s former deputy finance minister.
Labour MP Matt Western told Mr Raab: “When it comes to tennis the Prime Minister enjoys the company - and the backhanders - of Lubov Chernukhin.
“When it came to celebrating the election victory, the Prime Minister prioritised the party hosted by the former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev.
He added: “What first attracted the Prime Minister to the billionaire Russian oligarchs?”
Mr Raab replied: “The Prime Minister is not just a very social individual, he wants this country to be open, outward-looking to the world.” He added the UK had led on Magnitsky sanctions.
Labour MP Justin Madders added: “On 28 April 2020 when he was Foreign Secretary, the Prime Minister is reported to have attended a party at a castle in Italy where he met a former KGB officer.
“This was just weeks after the Salisbury poisonings and after he attended a NATO summit on Russia.
“It’s also reported he travelled there without any security detail or officials present.
“So will there now be an investigation into what sounds like a complete failure of national security?”
Rattled Mr Raab shot back: “He’s talking total nonsense, I don’t have anything to add.”
The row with Ms Rayner broke out when she asked: “Did he at any time overrule or ignore direct advice from the British security services?”
Mr Raab replied: “What she suggests is nonsense. She’s talking about the House of Lords Appointments Commission. They have a vetting process.
“I have never overruled intelligence advice and I wouldn’t comment on the details of it.”
Ms Rayner went on: “On 17 March 2020 British intelligence reportedly warned against granting a peerage to the PM’s close friend and now Lord Lebedev of Hampton and Siberia.
“Forty-eight hours later the Prime Minister visited Lebedev at his home in London. Details of that meeting have never been released.
“In July 2020, Ledebev’s appointment as peer was announced.
“What changed between the security warning and the appointment?”
MPs laughed as Mr Raab said: “The honourable lady knows full well all individuals nominated for a peerage are done so in recognition of what their contribution is to society.
“That includes those of Russian origin who contribute brilliantly to our nation, many of whom in this country are critics of the Putin regime.
“Peerages are vetted by the HOLAC for matters of probity and frankly she should know better.”
Ms Rayner replied: “The central duty of any government is to keep the British people safe.
“There are now widespread reports that the Prime Minister did not accept warnings from our own intelligence services granting a Russian oligarch, the son and business partner of a KGB spy, a seat here in this Parliament…
“Can he guarantee the Prime Minister never asked anyone to urge the security services to revise, reconsider, or withdraw their assessment of Lord Lebedev?”
Mr Raab replied: “The suggestion she’s making is sheer nonsense.”
He then swerved answering in detail, instead saying Jeremy Corbyn talked about “abolishing the army” and “pulling out of Trident”, going on: “Has there ever been a more ridiculous, reckless, naive moment to call for unilateral nuclear disarmament and pulling out of NATO?”
Ms Rayner hit back: “The government have had 12 years to end their reliance on foreign oil.
“Their failure has left us all vulnerable - reliant on another murderous dictator to keep the lights on and pumps open.”
She concluded: “There is a war in Europe. There is a fuel energy crisis in Britain. Democracy is at risk.
“We must support the courageous efforts of President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people.
“These uncertain times require leadership with integrity - a leader who works with the security services…. Instead we have this sorry excuse of a government sat before us.
“They hike tax on 27million working people while the super-rich increase their wealth. They watch energy prices rise by over 50% while the companies enjoy profits they didn’t even expect.
“And they cavort with Russian oligarchs in luxury villas while neglecting the security of the British people.
“And remember - they partied while the country was in lockdown and unable to see their dying loved ones.
“Can the Deputy PM look the British people in the eye and really say their government is doing their bests in their interests?”
Mr Raab replied that more than 1,000 Russian individuals had been sanctioned, although that figure actually includes firms. Under 800 individuals are sanctioned.
He also praised the “big hearted spirit” of this government and this nation after 5,500 family visas were issued to Ukrainians, and 100,000 volunteered to be sponsors.
“While she’s in her social media echo chamber, that’s what this government is doing,” he snapped.
Boris Johnson's official spokesman said later: - "Lord Lebedev was nominated in recognition of his contribution to the UK.
"He was vocal in his criticism of Putin's actions in Ukraine and issued his own statement recently."
