FACT CHECK: Starmer’s Misleading Claims After Lifting Sanctions on Russian Oil
The article critiques Keir Starmer's claims regarding the lifting of sanctions on Russian oil products. It highlights discrepancies between his statements and the actual licensing terms issued by the government. The analysis suggests that Starmer's defenses may be misleading and not aligned with previous practices.
- ▪Starmer claimed that the government has phased in sanctions similarly in the past, but a formal General Trade Licence was never issued by the Conservatives.
- ▪In 2023, the UK imported 5.2 million barrels of petroleum products made from Russian oil, generating significant tax revenue for the Kremlin.
- ▪The new general licence for diesel and jet fuel has no time limit and is not genuinely short-term as claimed by Starmer.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Guido Verify has analysed Starmer’s three defences in PMQs after lifting sanctions on processed Russian diesel and jet fuel supply. Starmer has tried to issue defensive claims in the Commons… CLAIM 1: “this government has phased in sanctions in this way before, and the last government used the same technique” A refining loophole of a kind existed under the Tories: Global Witness calculated that in 2023, the UK imported some 5.2 million barrels of petroleum products made from Russian oil, indirectly providing the Kremlin with around £123 million in tax revenue. But the Conservatives never issued a formal General Trade Licence explicitly authorising these imports… What Starmer has issued an affirmative government licence providing explicit legal blessing.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Guido Fawkes.
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