Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, has been personally sanctioned by Russia over his staunch support for Ukraine since it was invaded on 24th February. Mr Stride has been a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and, in his role as Chair of the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee, is chairing an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into the effectiveness of the sanctions the UK has imposed on his regime and exploring how additional sanctions might be applied.
Mr Stride also recently pressed the Prime Minister during Prime Ministers Questions to meet with him to discuss further ideas for sanctions which have been put forward by the Ukrainian parliament’s own Treasury Committee. The Prime Minister agreed to a meeting and this is expected to take place shortly. Mr Stride explained:
“I have now been personally sanctioned by Russia but will be pressing on with chairing my Russia sanctions inquiry and was pleased to have raised the issue of further sanctions against Russia at the last PMQs. I hope to meet with the PM shortly to consider how we can further tighten the screw on the Russian economy.”
Locally, Mr Stride has assisted with more than 100 visa applications for Ukrainian refugees hoping to reach Central Devon and recently met with Devon for Ukraine Director Tanya Larsen, who lives in his constituency, to discuss long-term support for refugees once they have arrived.
Watch: Mel speaking in the House of Commons recently, arguing for further sanctions against Putin’s regime.
