The charge sheet against Roman Abramovich could not be more damning.
According to the Foreign Office, his companies are believed to have supplied money and materials to support the Russian offensive.
The UK government has finally imposed sanctions on the billionaire and six other oligarchs. While this action is welcome, ministers should have acted far more quickly against the Chelsea owner.
Britain has so far sanctioned fewer than 20 oligarchs since the war started. By contrast the EU has targeted more than 500 individuals.
Abramovich used his vast wealth to buy himself a respectability that he did not merit.
Ministers, the football authorities and fans failed to question where his money came.
It should not have taken the invasion of Ukraine to expose his ties to tyrannical Putin.
Fuel’s gold
The sanctions against Russia are not without cost.
Motorists have already seen the price of a litre of petrol reach a record high after Western nations imposed embargoes on oil exports.
Experts are warning that average energy bills could top £3,000 a year by this winter.
This squeeze on households will force more families to choose between heat and food.
Not everyone is feeling the pinch. The boss of Shell, Ben van Beurden, enjoyed a £1.1million rise last year, taking his total renumeration package to £6.3m.
There is no reason why oil companies should not be slapped with a windfall tax that would pay for a cut in VAT on fuel.
Yet the Government continues to resist such a move.
By doing so they are putting big business ahead of millions of struggling families.
Top of the tops
The heroes of the 1966 World Cup have gained another win. Their red shirts have been named the most iconic kit of all time.
If you thought the competition was all over, it is now.
