An MP has called for a former Soviet bloc oil and arms tycoon who has given donations to consecutive Welsh secretaries should be censured due to his conduct. Alexander Temerko has given thousands to many Conservative MPs including former Welsh secretary Alun Cairns and current secretary Simon Hart.
Mr Temerko was born in Ukraine but left at 17 and held roles in the Russian defence ministry as well as running Russian oil firm Yukos. Since gaining British citizenship in 2011, he has given almost £1.6m to members of the Conservative party. He presents himself in public as an entrepreneur who opposes Britain’s departure from the European Union because it’s bad for his UK energy business, and as a dissident critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin but there are questions about his links to current-day Russia and position so close to those at the top of British politics.
Business Insider has reported that minister for trade policy Penny Mordaunt has met with party co-chairman Oliver Dowden and members of the party treasurer's team to consider disciplinary measures against the Ukrainian-born businessman. Mr Termerko called her an "uncontrollable woman".
