#publicinquiry

Brightwell Manor, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Guide Price £4,000.000 reportedly sold to Boris Johnson for £3,800.000 in February 2023 The house sits in five acres (2.0 ha) of grounds, with a moat fed by a natural spring surrounding it on three sides.9Boris Johnson announced his resignation as Prime Minister on 7 July 2022, following a cascade of ministerial resignations linked to the Chris Pincher scandal news.sky.comteenvogue.com+9en.wikipedia.org+9time.com+9

Russian Influence in UK Politics #SatiricalCartoon 

Llewelyn Pritchard 23 June 2025

‘Boris Johnson and Putin's Brexit Ambitions: A Comprehensive Analysis’

The Central Allegation

The evidence demonstrating how Boris Johnson, as Foreign Secretary and later Prime Minister, helped Putin achieve his Brexit ambitions for the UK is multifaceted and substantial. While not proving direct collusion, the documentation reveals a pattern of actions, inactions, and strategic alignments that effectively served Russian interests at the expense of British democracy.

Russian Interference in the Brexit Referendum

Scale of Russian Social Media Operations

The extent of Russian interference in the 2016 Brexit referendum was unprecedented in scale. Research by Swansea University and the University of California, Berkeley found that over 150,000 Russian-linked Twitter accounts suddenly pivoted from focusing on topics like Ukraine's annexation of Crimea to posting Brexit-related content in the days leading up to the vote 1 2. These accounts posted 45,000 tweets in just 48 hours during the referendum period 2.

The accounts were strategically activated, with 39,000 tweets posted on June 24 - the day the results were announced - before dropping off almost completely 2. Conservative MP Damian Collins, who chaired the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, called this "the most significant evidence yet of interference by Russia-backed social media accounts around the Brexit referendum" 1.

Broader Media Influence Operations

Beyond social media bots, Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik published 261 articles with anti-EU sentiment mentioning Brexit from January to June 2016 3. These articles achieved 134 million potential social media impressions - three times more impact than both official Leave campaigns combined 3. The content was highly misleading, featuring "grossly exaggerated or false stories on European refugee flows, immigration to the UK, the role of MI5 during the referendum and the CIA role in creating the EU" 3.

Johnson's Response: Deliberate Inaction

The Russia Report Suppression

Johnson's most damaging act was his systematic suppression of the Intelligence and Security Committee's Russia Report. The report was completed in March 2019 and submitted to Johnson on October 17, 2019 4. Despite being cleared by security agencies, Johnson refused to publish it before the December 2019 general election 4.

Sources who had seen the report told The Times that Johnson blocked its publication because it revealed "embarrassing" links between Conservative donors and the Kremlin 5. The report highlighted connections between London-based Russian oligarchs who fund the Conservative Party and Russia's Federal Security Bureau 5.

Government's "Astonishing" Lack of Curiosity

When the Russia Report was finally published in July 2020, it revealed the UK government's deliberate failure to investigate Russian interference. The Intelligence and Security Committee found it "astonishing" that the government had "actively avoided looking for evidence" of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum 6 7.

The report stated that the government "had not seen or sought evidence of successful interference in UK democratic processes" - but this was meaningless because they hadn't looked for it 6. ISC member Kevan Jones said: "The outrage isn't [whether] there was interference; the outrage is that no one has wanted to know if there was interference" 8.

Johnson's Personal Connections to Russian Interests

The Alexander Lebedev Meetings

Johnson's personal connections to Russian oligarchs created serious security concerns. He met former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev without officials present while serving as Foreign Secretary in April 2018 9 10. This meeting occurred just weeks after the Salisbury poisoning, when Britain was responding to Russian nerve agent attacks on UK soil 11.

Johnson later appointed Lebedev's son, Evgeny, to the House of Lords in 2020, despite warnings from MI5 and MI6 that this posed a national security risk 12. Security services had initially assessed that granting the peerage was problematic, but this assessment was withdrawn after Johnson personally intervened 12.

Conservative Party Russian Funding

Under Johnson's leadership, the Conservative Party continued accepting substantial donations from Russian-linked sources. Since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, the Conservatives have received at least £243,000 from Russia-associated donors 13 14.

Key Russian-linked donors include:

Lubov Chernukhin: Wife of Putin's former deputy finance minister, who has donated over £2 million to the Conservatives 14

Viktor Fedotov: Russian-born oil tycoon whose company Aquind has donated £42,000 to the Conservative Party 14

Alexander Temerko: Director of Aquind who has donated over £700,000 in total 14

Brexit as Putin's Strategic Victory

Weakening European Unity

Brexit delivered precisely what Putin wanted: the weakening of European unity and the removal of one of the EU's strongest advocates for tough sanctions against Russia 15 16. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond acknowledged immediately after the Brexit vote that Putin would be "feeling a little less pressure" about getting "European Union sanctions watered down" 16.

Russia's strategic interest in Brexit was never secret. From Putin's perspective, "Britain's exit makes Europe healthier, more continental and easier for Russia to deal with" 17. The UK had been "one of the strongest advocates of EU-led sanctions against Russia", and its departure would "improve Moscow's chances of getting sanctions relief" 15.

The "Useful Idiots" Strategy

Multiple analysts have described Brexit supporters as Putin's "useful idiots" - a term Lenin used for unwitting promoters of Russian interests 18 19. This strategy involved getting enemies to act against their own interests while believing they were being patriotic 18.

The strategy was remarkably successful. As one analysis noted: "Putin wins Brexit and a weaker Europe" as long as Johnson and his allies remained in power 19.

Johnson's Inflammatory Brexit-Ukraine Comparison

Johnson's tone-deaf comparison of Brexit to Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion in March 2022 revealed his fundamental misunderstanding of the strategic implications 20 21. He claimed both Britons and Ukrainians shared the instinct "to choose freedom", citing Brexit as a "famous recent example" 20.

This comparison was widely condemned as "offensive" and "insane" by European leaders 22. Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked Johnson: "How many Britons died because of Brexit? Zero", contrasting this with 150 Ukrainian children killed by Russian forces 23.

The London Laundromat System

Enabling Russian Money Laundering

The Russia Report revealed that the UK had become a "laundromat" for Russian money, with "Russian influence in the UK" now constituting "the new normal" 24. The UK's investor visa scheme offered "ideal mechanisms by which illicit finance could be recycled" through what became known as the "London laundromat" 24.

Transparency International estimates that Russians accused of corruption or having close links to the Kremlin owned £1.5 billion worth of property in the UK 25. More broadly, front companies registered in the UK and its territories had concealed over £82 billion of corrupt Russian funds 25.

The Enabling Infrastructure

The report identified a "growth industry of enablers" - lawyers, accountants, estate agents, and PR advisers - who helped Russian clients extend their influence "which is often linked to promoting the nefarious interests of the Russian state" 26. This created a system where "PR firms, charities, political interests, academia and cultural institutions were all willing beneficiaries of Russian money" 27.

Strategic Impact Assessment

Evidence Category

Specific Actions/Inactions

Putin's Benefit

Report Suppression

Delayed Russia Report for 9 months, preventing pre-election scrutiny 4

Avoided exposure of Russian interference patterns

Investigation Refusal

Government "actively avoided looking for evidence" of Russian interference 6

Maintained plausible deniability for future operations

Personal Connections

Met Alexander Lebedev without security, appointed his son to House of Lords 9 12

Maintained high-level Russian influence channels

Financial Enablement

Continued accepting Russian-linked donations worth £243,000+ during Ukraine war 13

Sustained financial influence over Conservative Party

Strategic Outcome

Brexit weakened EU, removed strong sanctions advocate 15 16

Achieved primary geopolitical objective of European division

Conclusion

The evidence demonstrates that Boris Johnson's actions - both as Brexit campaign leader and as Prime Minister - systematically enabled Putin's strategic objectives. While falling short of proving direct coordination, the pattern reveals:

Deliberate government inaction on investigating Russian interference

Personal security compromises through inappropriate Russian contacts

Financial enablement of Russian influence through continued donations

Strategic alignment with Russian interests in weakening European unity

Institutional protection of Russian influence networks through report suppression

Johnson's role was not that of a direct conspirator but rather Putin's most effective "useful idiot" - someone who consistently acted against British interests while … purportedly … believing he was serving them 1819. The combination of his leadership of the Brexit campaign and his subsequent actions as Prime Minister created the conditions for Putin's greatest strategic victory in post-Cold War Europe: the division and weakening of the Western alliance through Britain's departure from the EU 1528.’

Source: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/explain-the-evidence-that-show-RD5l6fiVR2SDi_nDC6a57w#1 

NOTE ‘It is crucial to exercise critical rationality and verify AI-generated reports because:

AI can reproduce bias or errors from its training data or sources.

Generated content may sound authoritative while being factually incorrect, misleading, or outdated.

Nuance and context are often lost without human judgement.

Verification ensures accountability, especially in political, legal, or scientific topics.

Ethical responsibility demands users actively engage with sources to avoid spreading misinformation.Always cross-check claims with credible references and use AI as a tool, not an unquestioned authority.’ #ChatGPT Llewelyn Pritchard 13 June 2025

Links

https://quislingborisjohnson.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-combination-of-boris-johnsons.html https://trumpsauthoritarianassault.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-combination-of-boris-johnsons.html https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSRmrzBfC_R5C5c9-NQmRBgZfcQUd09DL4RHC0MQ0qUTLS5i88kiLwFdhCRPt1rEqEb_phBlWMbjhpr/pub ‘The combination of Boris Johnson’s leadership of the Brexit campaign and his subsequent actions as Prime Minister created the conditions for Putin's greatest strategic victory in post-Cold War Europe: the division and weakening of the Western alliance through Britain's departure from the EU 15 28.’ #AiEvidentialMaterial #Perplexity Llewelyn Pritchard 12 July 2025

https://www.blueskypacks.com/starter-packs/boris-johnson-evidence-compilation  https://bsky.app/starter-pack/did:plc:k3ltkncdcfadlbjo25pjaozr/3llnwj27l5e24 https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQfe7m_EfpL9aZPRX5jxacx0ZSsQz59SJWUpY-EkhjEQ8LI9f1je1zTwDumY-GP49A-ls3ZfNo9sF1F/pub BORIS JOHNSON EVIDENCE COMPLILATION Explore insights and evidence related to Boris Johnson's political actions. Politics, Analysis, Climate, Governance, Evidence, Quisling, Llewelyn Pritchard 31 March 2025

https://www.blueskypacks.com/starter-packs/proposal-for-independent-public-inquiry https://quislingborisjohnson.blogspot.com/2025/07/a-proposal-for-fully-independent-public.html https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRICM3NI4sScF5zWNH3hk1hq087KHHrW3pl7VMJE76seKv5Bbix_gY-R27Q1lQmV8YJ9NEMD9VMLw0J/pub CALL OUT FOR A FULLY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC INQUIRY: Investigating Boris Johnson’s Role in Russian State-Mafia Interference in UK Politics (2010–2022) #PublicInquiry #GovernmentAccountability #PoliticalAnalysis #Democracy #Transparency #AIEvidentialMaterial #Ai #Perplexity #ChatGPT Llewelyn Pritchard 7 July 2025

https://www.blueskypacks.com/starter-packs/equality-in-democratic-governance https://unitedforclimate.blogspot.com/2024/07/this-must-never-be-allowed-to-happen.html  EQUALITY IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE Explore voices and initiatives advocating for equal legal accountability in democratic societies. UPHOLD THE PRINCIPLE THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW

https://www.blueskypacks.com/starter-packs/climate-crisis-solutions https://unitedforclimate.blogspot.com/2025/04/climate-crisis-root-causes-solutions.html CLIMATE CRISIS SOLUTIONS Explore the root causes and solutions to the climate crisis through a curated list of experts and advocates. #ClimateChange #Sustainability #EnvironmentalJustice #Activism #SustainableDevelopment #IndependentResearchSolutions #AIEvidentialMaterial #Perplexity Llewelyn Pritchard 21 April 2025

https://www.blueskypacks.com/starter-packs/influence-of-russia-in-uk-politics RUSSIAN INFLUENCE IN UK POLITICS Explore the ongoing impact of Russian influence in UK politics and its implications. #UKPolitics #RussianInfluence #Brexit #Democracy #ForeignAffairs #EvidenceBasedIndependentResearch:

Public Inquiry: A Mechanism for Truth and AccountabilityObjectives of Public Inquiries1. Establishing Facts: Uncovering the Truth 2. Identifying Failures and Responsibility: Ensuring Accountability 3. Restoring Public Trust: Strengthening Confidence in Institutions 4. Recommending Reforms: Preventing Future Failures 5. Providing Closure to Victims and Society Types of Public Inquiries1. Judicial Inquiries: Legally Binding and Formally Structured 2. Parliamentary Inquiries: Legislative Oversight and Accountability 3. Independent Commissions: Expertise-Driven Investigations 4. Internal Government Inquiries: Administrative Reviews with Limited Independence Comparing the Different Types of Public Inquiries Process of a Public Inquiry1. Announcement and Terms of Reference: Defining the Inquiry’s Scope 2. Evidence Collection: Constructing the Factual Narrative 3. Public Hearings: Ensuring Transparency and Accountability 4. Deliberation and Analysis: Drawing Conclusions from Evidence 5. Publication of Findings: Delivering the Final Report Challenges of Public Inquiries Case Studies Conclusion

Public Inquiry: A Mechanism for Truth and Accountability

A public inquiry is a formal process initiated by a government or an authoritative body to investigate matters of significant public concern. These inquiries are typically established in response to scandals, disasters, or systemic failures that necessitate transparency, accountability, and policy reform. Public inquiries play a vital role in democratic societies by fostering trust in governance, ensuring justice, and providing a framework for learning from past mistakes to prevent future occurrences.

Objectives of Public Inquiries

Public inquiries serve as critical instruments of democratic accountability, ensuring that events of significant public concern are thoroughly investigated and addressed. Their objectives extend beyond mere fact-finding, as they aim to uphold justice, restore confidence in institutions, and implement meaningful reforms. 1. Establishing Facts: Uncovering the Truth One of the primary objectives of a public inquiry is to establish an accurate and detailed account of events. This involves answering fundamental questions: - What happened? - When and how did it happen? - Who was responsible, and what were the contributing factors? To achieve this, inquiries rely on a structured process of evidence collection, which includes: - Witness testimonies from individuals directly involved, experts, and affected parties. - Documentary evidence such as official records, internal communications, and reports. - Expert analysis from professionals who can assess technical, legal, or ethical aspects of the event. Unlike criminal trials, which focus on individual guilt, public inquiries prioritize uncovering the broader systemic causes of failure. Their conclusions provide a foundation for further legal actions, policy changes, and historical record-keeping. 2. Identifying Failures and Responsibility: Ensuring Accountability Public inquiries play a crucial role in identifying failures in governance, policy, and institutional structures. These failures may result from: - Negligence or incompetence by officials, policymakers, or corporations. - Lack of oversight or regulatory failures leading to preventable crises. - Deliberate misconduct, corruption, or abuse of power. By examining these failures, public inquiries assign responsibility and often recommend disciplinary actions or legal consequences. However, they typically do not function as judicial bodies, meaning their findings may not directly lead to prosecutions—though they can serve as a basis for further legal proceedings. Examples of inquiries holding entities accountable include: - The Leveson Inquiry (2011-2012) into media ethics, which exposed unlawful journalistic practices and led to significant media regulation reforms. - The Grenfell Tower Inquiry (2017-present), which investigates the failures that led to the tragic fire in a London high-rise and has implicated various governmental and corporate entities. 3. Restoring Public Trust: Strengthening Confidence in Institutions Public confidence in governmental institutions, law enforcement, and corporations often suffers in the wake of a scandal or disaster. A well-conducted public inquiry helps restore trust by demonstrating: - Transparency – Public access to information reassures citizens that accountability measures are in place. - Independence – An inquiry free from political influence ensures impartiality and credibility. - Commitment to justice – A rigorous investigation signals a willingness to address past wrongs and prevent future ones. Trust is a cornerstone of democratic governance, and public inquiries act as safeguards against secrecy, impunity, and governmental inertia. When institutions acknowledge their shortcomings and commit to meaningful change, public faith in the system can be restored. 4. Recommending Reforms: Preventing Future Failures One of the most important functions of a public inquiry is to propose reforms to address systemic weaknesses. These reforms may include: - Changes in legislation to close legal loopholes or strengthen regulatory frameworks. - Institutional restructuring to improve accountability, oversight, and efficiency. - Enhanced safety protocols to prevent future disasters or crises. For instance, the Chilcot Inquiry (2009-2016) into the UK’s involvement in the Iraq War criticized intelligence failures and policy misjudgments, leading to discussions on parliamentary oversight in war decisions. Similarly, the Piper Alpha Inquiry (1988-1990), which investigated a North Sea oil rig disaster, resulted in stringent new safety regulations for the oil industry. Public inquiries thus function as catalysts for societal progress, ensuring that lessons from past failures translate into tangible improvements. 5. Providing Closure to Victims and Society In addition to legal and institutional implications, public inquiries serve an emotional and psychological function for victims, their families, and affected communities. By recognizing suffering and injustice, inquiries provide: - A formal acknowledgment of harm, validating the experiences of victims. - A public platform for testimony, allowing those affected to share their perspectives. - Potential avenues for compensation or reparations, particularly in cases of state negligence or corporate misconduct. One of the most notable inquiries in this regard was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1995-2002) in South Africa, which investigated human rights abuses during apartheid. While it did not always lead to criminal prosecutions, it provided a crucial space for victims and perpetrators to engage in restorative justice processes. Public inquiries are not merely bureaucratic exercises; they are essential mechanisms for truth-seeking, accountability, institutional reform, and societal healing. By uncovering facts, identifying failures, restoring public confidence, recommending reforms, and acknowledging victims’ suffering, they play a pivotal role in shaping just and transparent societies. However, the effectiveness of public inquiries depends on their independence, thoroughness, and the genuine commitment of authorities to implement their recommendations. When conducted properly, they ensure that past mistakes become lessons for the future rather than repeated failures.

Types of Public Inquiries

Public inquiries vary in structure, authority, and objectives depending on the nature of the issue being investigated. While all public inquiries aim to establish facts, determine accountability, and recommend reforms, their effectiveness depends on their legal mandate and degree of independence. The four most common types of public inquiries are: 1. Judicial Inquiries: Legally Binding and Formally Structured Judicial inquiries are the most authoritative form of public inquiry, typically led by senior judges or legal professionals. They follow a structured legal process and are conducted similarly to court proceedings, often with the ability to: - Compel witnesses to testify under oath - Subpoena documents and other forms of evidence - Ensure procedural fairness and due process Judicial inquiries are usually convened in response to major crises, scandals, or disasters involving potential misconduct or negligence by powerful institutions. Their legal rigor ensures that findings are based on solid evidence and that those responsible can be held accountable through further legal action. Strengths of Judicial Inquiries: ✔ High legal authority and enforceability ✔ Ability to summon key witnesses under oath ✔ Transparent, fact-based, and impartial process Challenges of Judicial Inquiries: ✖ Often take years to conclude due to legal complexity ✖ High costs and resource-intensive procedures ✖ Findings may not necessarily lead to immediate reforms Example: - The Chilcot Inquiry (UK, 2009-2016) – Investigated the UK’s involvement in the Iraq War, uncovering intelligence failures and political misjudgments. The report was extensive but criticized for its slow pace. 2. Parliamentary Inquiries: Legislative Oversight and Accountability Parliamentary inquiries are conducted by legislative committees within a country’s parliament. These inquiries focus primarily on government policies, decision-making, and public administration. Unlike judicial inquiries, parliamentary inquiries: - Are less formal and do not always follow strict legal procedures - Lack judicial powers to enforce testimony or subpoenas (unless granted special authority) - Tend to focus on political rather than purely legal accountability Parliamentary inquiries are often used to scrutinize government spending, policy failures, or corruption scandals. While they cannot directly prosecute individuals, they can exert significant political pressure by exposing wrongdoing and recommending reforms. Strengths of Parliamentary Inquiries: ✔ Swift and cost-effective compared to judicial inquiries ✔ Directly influence government policies and accountability ✔ Can result in immediate policy changes if there is political will Challenges of Parliamentary Inquiries: ✖ Often politically influenced, particularly when ruling parties control them ✖ Lack strong legal enforcement mechanisms ✖ May serve as political theater rather than genuine investigative processes Example: - The Watergate Hearings (USA, 1973-1974) – A U.S. Senate inquiry that exposed President Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate scandal, leading to his resignation. 3. Independent Commissions: Expertise-Driven Investigations Independent commissions are established to investigate complex or technical issues requiring specialized knowledge. Unlike judicial or parliamentary inquiries, these commissions: - Are composed of subject-matter experts, scholars, or former officials - Function autonomously from government influence - Produce advisory reports rather than legally binding decisions These commissions are valuable for addressing long-term social, economic, or ethical issues where political or legal expertise alone is insufficient. Examples include investigations into climate change policies, healthcare system failures, or economic crises. Strengths of Independent Commissions: ✔ Objective and research-driven approach ✔ Often results in well-informed, practical recommendations ✔ Can focus on systemic and preventive measures rather than immediate blame Challenges of Independent Commissions: ✖ Lack direct enforcement power ✖ Risk of being ignored by policymakers if recommendations are inconvenient ✖ Reports may take years to finalize, delaying action Example: - The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa, 1995-2002) – Investigated human rights abuses during apartheid and facilitated national healing through victim testimonies and reconciliation efforts. 4. Internal Government Inquiries: Administrative Reviews with Limited Independence Internal government inquiries are investigations conducted within government departments or agencies to assess failures in policy, decision-making, or implementation. Unlike other forms of public inquiries, these: - Are often led by government-appointed officials - May lack full transparency and independence - Rarely have the power to summon external witnesses or enforce accountability These inquiries are often initiated when a government seeks to contain a controversy internally rather than expose failures to public scrutiny. They are typically used for administrative reviews rather than large-scale accountability measures. Strengths of Internal Government Inquiries: ✔ Can be completed quickly, offering immediate policy adjustments ✔ Cost-effective compared to judicial or parliamentary inquiries ✔ Useful for resolving internal bureaucratic issues Challenges of Internal Government Inquiries: ✖ Often criticized for bias and lack of transparency ✖ Lack legal authority to hold individuals accountable ✖ Reports may be concealed from the public if politically inconvenient Example: - The Hutton Inquiry (UK, 2003) – Investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. David Kelly, a government scientist involved in the Iraq War intelligence controversy. While it cleared the government of wrongdoing, critics questioned its independence.

Comparing the Different Types of Public Inquiries

Type of InquiryLeaderPowersFocusStrengthsWeaknessesJudicial InquiryJudge or legal professionalLegally binding, can summon witnessesMajor legal and political failuresHigh legal authority, impartial, thoroughLengthy and expensiveParliamentary InquiryLegislative committeeLimited enforcement powerGovernment policies and decisionsSwift, cost-effective, politically influentialCan be partisan, lacks legal enforcementIndependent CommissionExperts, professionalsAdvisory onlyComplex, long-term social issuesObjective, knowledge-driven, preventiveNo enforcement power, reports may be ignoredInternal Government InquiryGovernment officialsLimited, internal investigationBureaucratic failuresQuick, cost-effectiveLacks transparency, risk of political bias

Each type of public inquiry serves a different function, depending on the nature and scope of the issue being investigated. Judicial inquiries are the most powerful in terms of legal authority, while parliamentary inquiries focus on political oversight. Independent commissions provide expert-driven recommendations, whereas internal government inquiries are often used for administrative reviews. For a public inquiry to be effective, it must be independent, transparent, and capable of influencing real change. While some inquiries result in meaningful reforms, others risk being politically manipulated or ignored. Ultimately, the success of any inquiry depends on public engagement, media scrutiny, and the political will to act on its findings.

Process of a Public Inquiry