It should never have taken the invasion of Ukraine to force a re-examination of the UK’s easy accommodation of Russian oligarchs’ dirty money. For years ministers have turned a blind eye while London became the haven of choice for many of Putin’s allies. But with the invasion launched there could be no more not asking questions. No more looking the other way.
The purchase of mansions, the laundering of money, the use of expensive legal firms and consultants by allies of Putin and the Russian regime were all brought into stark relief as the Ukrainian army and people fought for their lives and their country.
