Russian oligarchs' children should be kicked out of top public schools

Russian oligarchs’ children should be kicked out of Britain’s top public schools, Tory MPs say

  • Conservative MPs want to remove the kids of wealthy Russians from top schools
  • One MP warned private schools are ‘being used as a weapon’ by Russia’s elite
  • It comes as pressure mounts on Boris Johnson to target oligarchs in the UK 

Children of Russian oligarchs should be kicked out of Britain’s top public schools to increase the pressure to end the war on Ukraine, some Tory MPs are demanding.

The private schools favoured by super rich Russians like Eton, Westminster and Harrow are ‘being used as a weapon by our enemies’, one warned.

Boris Johnson is coming under increasing pressure to further restrict the privileged lifestyles of Vladimir Putin’s super-rich cronies who have used their wealth to establish a foothold in British society. And that focus is beginning to turn to elite schools.

Conservative MP for Westminster Nickie Aiken told MailOnline: ‘I am calling on the Government to not just look at economic sanctions – the children of Russians connected to the Kremlin, who may be in schools in this country, should be sent home to Russia.

The private schools favoured by super rich Russians like Eton (pictured), Westminster and Harrow are ‘being used as a weapon by our enemies’, Tory MPs have warned

Conservative MP for Westminster Nickie Aiken told Mail Online: ‘I am calling on the Government to not just look at economic sanctions – the children of Russians connected to the Kremlin, who may be in schools in this country, should be sent home to Russia’

‘These people enjoy lifestyles that their wealth has bought them and many of them have made their wealth or stolen it from the Russian people and their families benefit from their ill-gotten gains.

‘Why should the children of Putin’s cronies benefit from an education in this country when Ukrainian children are being murdered?

‘I think it is very important to separate Russian people from those propping up Putin who are being sanctioned by the British government.

‘I absolutely accept that the sins of the parents should not be visited on the children but there are children in the Ukraine cowering in basements in fear for their lives and children who may never see their fathers again.’

She added: ‘If the children of Putin’s cronies are benefiting from what is seen as a world-class education in our schools, then I think we need to send a clear message about that. The families of the people propping up Putin must also pay a price.’

‘It’s about telling oligarchs they can’t enjoy this lifestyle while the people of Ukraine suffer.’

Tom Tugendhat, chair of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, has also backed the move.

He said: ‘Putin’s princelings are enjoying education in the finest places of our country while he destroys Ukrainian schools.’

More than 2,300 Russian children attend Britain’s private schools.

Public school fees stood at £13,700 last year but top establishments charge far more.

Parents sending their children to Westminster fork out £43,272 a year on their child’s education. Eton charges £44,094 a year.

The Independent Schools Council has advised its members not to take fees from Russian banks or from individuals who have been sanctioned.

But fellow Tory MP Alicia Kearns raised concerns over loopholes in legislation that could be exploited by sanctioned individuals.

She said: ‘I’m very aware of the precedent of people with great wealth paying their school fees through shell companies, through alternative organisations, or even with cash.

Tom Tugendhat, chair of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, has also backed the move. He said: ‘Putin’s princelings are enjoying education in the finest places of our country while he destroys Ukrainian schools’

It comes as pressure mounts on Boris Johnson to target oligarchs in the UK

‘We are now putting financial sanctions in place to cut off these dirty roubles, but my fear is that they are going to be able to play the system easily.

‘If these people are happy to sit back and let the children of Ukraine be blown up, they should not have their children at our schools, which they see as a fast-track to Oxbridge.

‘Private schools are not competent to monitor for money-laundering, nor should they have to, but they are now being used as a weapon by our enemies.’

Eton College – whose former pupils include the Prime Minister was well as Princes William and Harry – generates fees of just under £850,000 a year from its 17 Russian students.

A spokesman said: ‘At this difficult time, the school is ensuring that we provide extensive pastoral support to all boys and staff who are impacted.

‘None of our Russian pupils are from families on the sanctions list, and that includes any Russian nationals with places for 2022 or 2023.’

It’s estimated that schools could face a potential £31.5m hit from the loss of Russian business.

‘Why should the children of Putin’s cronies benefit from an education in this country when Ukrainian children are being murdered?’ said Conservative MP Nickie Aiken (a pupil pictured outside Harrow School)

But Aiken said: ‘There’s a whole debate about dirty money in this country, but the dirty money isn’t just in our corporate and property sector, it’s also in our private school sector.

‘If BP and Shell can take a multi-billion pound loss on selling Russian assets – and that is going to affect our pension funds – then this is a small price to pay for our public schools to take action.’

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, said: ‘The priority for all schools is the safety, well-being and education of their pupils.

‘Sanctions imposed on individuals and Russian banks mean schools must not accept payments of fees from these sources. ‘They are encouraged to remain on high alert over suspicious payments and expected to raise suspicious activity reports if they have any concerns over the provenance of the money they are receiving.

‘Associations representing independent schools work with government agencies to encourage vigilance against suspicious fee payments and ensure reporting is carried out as required, and the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association provides guidance verified by legal experts.’

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post Pictish stone found in field in Angus features abstract symbols
Next post Scientists reverse ageing in mice using cellular 'rejuvenation'