Alexander Lebedev quits Independent role after Canada sanctions
The Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev has quit his role at the Independent, shortly after being placed under economic sanctions by Canada for “directly enabling” the Russian war in Ukraine.
It means the former KGB agent now has no formal role at the British news outlet, in a move that may protect the Independent from any issues relating to the sanctions.
Canada last week named Lebedev on a list of 14 prominent people who had “directly enabled Vladimir Putin’s senseless war in Ukraine and bear responsibility for the pain and suffering of the people of Ukraine”. Canadian individuals and businesses are now banned from conducting business with him and connected entities.
The 62-year-old Russian bought the Independent for £1 in 2010, having previously taken control of London’s Evening Standard for the same sum the previous year. He later transferred control of the publications to his son Evgeny – a friend of Boris Johnson who was recently given a seat in the House of Lords by the prime minister, despite concerns from the security services. The two news outlets have since racked up huge losses, while giving the Lebedevs a degree of influence in British society.
Corporate filings show Alexander Lebedev stepped down as a director of Independent Print Ltd on Sunday, the day after it was publicly reported that he was on the Canadian sanctions list. The company is one of the web of businesses involved in the ownership of the Independent and Evening Standard.
A spokesperson for the newspapers played down the importance of the elder Lebedev’s resignation from the board of directors, saying he had not been actively involved in the business. They said: “Alexander Lebedev has no role, commercial or otherwise, in the running of either the
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