OfS chair defends tycoon amid ‘Russian-linked’ funding scrutiny

The Conservative peer who chairs the English higher education regulator has defended a Ukrainian-born energy tycoon with whom he has had commercial and donation links, amid increased scrutiny of UK political funding from Russian-linked individuals.

Lord Wharton of Yarm, who chairs the Office for Students, has been a paid adviser to energy firm Aquind, which wanted to build a £1.2 billion power cable under the Channel – a project refused permission by the UK government earlier this year.

Aquind, part-owned by Russian-born oil tycoon Viktor Fedotov and by Alexander Temerko, born in Ukraine when it was part of the Soviet Union, has given more than £1 million in donations to the Conservatives.

Mr Temerko made £25,000 in donations to Lord Wharton between 2013 and 2015 in his time as an MP.

The Times has described Mr Temerko as one of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s “fiercest critics since fleeing Russia in 2004”. Mr Temerko led the Russian oil company Yukos but fled after fraud charges were laid against him, charges “which he has always insisted were trumped up and political,” the Times said.

But amid increased scrutiny of UK political funding following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, his name has featured in press reports on Russian-linked individuals who have given money to the Conservatives.

Lord Wharton said in a statement to Times Higher Education: “Alexander Temerko is a close friend who is Ukrainian and was persecuted by Putin’s regime before seeking refuge in the UK. He is a British citizen. I am disgusted by attempts to attack his character, especially when his home country is being invaded by the very regime that has cost him so dearly.

“He has invested hugely in this country, including creating thousands of jobs in my native North East. Those who are using him to score cheap political points and make baseless accusations are displaying shocking racism and doing Putin’s work. They should be thoroughly ashamed.”

The selection as OfS chair of Lord Wharton, who ran Boris Johnson’s successful campaign for the Conservative leadership, was described as an example of “political control freakery” when he was chosen by the government in December 2020.

He said he would retain the party whip in the House of Lords, but pledged to uphold the OfS’ independence.

john.morgan@timeshighereducation.com