Tory party chairman’s company deletes webpage about Russia ‘elite’ connections

The luxury business run by the chairman of the Conservative party has deleted a webpage spelling out its Russian “elite” connections.

Ben Elliot, founder of luxury concierge service Quintessentially Group, has co-chaired Boris Johnson the party since 2019.

This week it emerged that Mr Elliot’s company had deleted a web page spelling out how the it had catered to the needs of Russia’s wealthy for more than a decade.

The firm had worked with former Putin advisers, as well as figures such as Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich, according to The Sunday Times.

“Quintessentially Russia has nearly 15 years’ experience providing luxury lifestyle management services to Russia's elite and corporate members,” the website explained, spelling out the services available.

But following the invasion of Ukraine page is now missing from the firm's website and offers only a standard “error 40” message. It is still visible by looking at a cached and archived version of the website.

The Conservative party has raised more than £70m since Mr Elliot took over as chair, in part by targeting the world's ultra wealthy for contributions.

Boris Johnson and his ministers have been pressed in recent days on whether they will give back or pass on donations from people with connections to the Kremlin.

Mr Johnson rejected such a suggestion this week, telling MPs in the Commons on Wednesday: “It is absolutely vital, if we are to have a successful outcome in what we are trying to do, collectively united with Ukraine, that we demonstrate that this is not about the Russian people. This is about the Putin regime.”

The prime minister has also said: “I do hope that those who have any links with the Putin regime, whatever, any so-called Oligarchs, all those that are in any way associated with the regime, take this opportunity as some brave individuals already have, to disassociate themselves from this barbaric invasion.”

The party says all donors “are registered, are legitimate” and suggested Russia-linked donors “support our aims or objectives.”

A spokesperson for Quintessentially told The Independent: “The Quintessentially Group completely condemns President Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine and with our partners around the world, are working to connect our members, suppliers and corporates with the Ukraine focussed charities.

“At the same time, the Group continues to actively monitor its member base and corporate clients to ensure that it is not servicing any individual or corporate body that is on the sanctions lists that have been issued by the UK, EU and US governments. Moreover, it can confirm that it definitively is not engaged with anyone on those lists.

“Should any Quintessentially Individual or Corporate member appear on the sanctions lists referred to above, they will cease to be a member or client. This monitoring incorporates all of its offices, including its franchise office in Moscow.”