- Roman Abramovich's legal team asserts that the £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea Football Club remains his property and he will challenge any government attempts to confiscate the funds.
- Abramovich's lawyers accuse the UK government of causing delays in releasing the money for Ukrainian war victims, stating he intends to donate it voluntarily once legal obstacles are cleared.
- Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has issued a strong rebuttal, urging Abramovich to 'do the right thing' and warning that the government will take action if he fails to comply.
- The ongoing dispute precedes a 17 March deadline for Abramovich to respond to demands, following the government's threat of legal action in December.
- Abramovich's representatives have previously attributed his inability to unfreeze assets and make the payment to an ongoing legal investigation in Jersey concerning the origins of his wealth.
IN FULL