Evgeny Lebedev’s nomination for a peerage was paused after advice from MI5 and was only ultimately approved with a letter advising his appointment would be controversial, the chair of House of Lords appointments commission has told MPs.
Giving evidence on Wednesday morning, Lord Bew said that MI5 had raised security concerns when the Evening Standard owner was put forward for a peerage by Downing Street in March 2020 – which prompted “a protracted period” of review.
