Husband of Britain's ambassador in Moscow runs a lobby group designed to boost ... trends now
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The husband of Britain’s ambassador in Moscow runs a business forum designed to boost trade with Russian firms – despite sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Alf Torrents, 57, is executive director of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, leaving his wife, ambassador Deborah Bronnert, facing questions over whether her role representing Britain’s interests in Russia is conflicted by his job.
There was an outcry last month after the Daily Mail revealed that British luxury brands such as Rolls-Royce were still trading in Russia.
In peacetime, Mr Torrents’s organisation lobbied to smooth trade with the Putin regime. In 2016 – two years after the Kremlin annexed Crimea – it urged Parliament to ‘reinstate Russia as a worldwide trade and investment priority’ and ‘re-evaluate sanctions’.
Although it scaled back its operations after the invasion of Ukraine, it remains active, and recently advertised for a new treasurer.
Updates: Alf Torrents, 57, is executive director of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, leaving his wife, ambassador Deborah Bronnert
In peacetime, Mr Torrents’s organisation lobbied to smooth trade with the Putin regime. In 2016 – two years after the Kremlin annexed Crimea – it urged Parliament to ‘reinstate Russia as a worldwide trade and investment priority’ and ‘re-evaluate sanctions'
Last Tuesday, Mr Torrents hosted an event
