Lord Hermer Said to Be Blocking Proposal to Seize Russian Assets Held in UK – Guido Fawkes

Lord Hermer Said to Be Blocking Proposal to Seize Russian Assets Held in UK

Ex-PM Sunak called on the government this week to seize Russian assets held in the UK. Of which there are between $28 and $30 billion…

“The chancellor has rightly continued our policy of using the interest on frozen Russian state assets to benefit Ukraine but I believe that now is the moment to go further and to actually seize those assets. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine violates the principle of sovereign equality providing a basis in international law for this and by acting in concert with our allies we can ensure that there are no risks to financial stability.”

Ellie Reeves’ response was more illuminating that most given by ministers on the matter of full asset seizure: “We would look at going further but as the rt hon. gentleman knows it is incredibly complicated to do that in line with international law but we keep all options on the table.” There is one person in government known to take that into account when decisions go past his desk…

According to common interpretations of international law as set out by UNGA resolutions Russia “must bear the legal consequences of all of its internationally wrongful acts, including making reparation for the injury, including any damage, caused by such acts” and third party states are able to take “countermeasures” to enforce a “breach of obligations owed to the international community as a whole.” Stranger things have been argued in international law courts…

Sources suggest the proposal to move to seize Russian assets have hit Lord Hermer’s desk – and he is blocking. The Attorney General’s Office has declined to comment on that one…