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Conservative co-chair closes Quintessentially office in Russia

A company co-owned by Conservative co-chair Ben Elliot has shut down its Russia office and Russian-language website amid the Ukraine conflict.

It comes after Labor accused Mr Elliot of being “at the heart” of “growing concerns” over links between the Conservatives and Russian money.

Mr. Elliot’s Quintessentially company provides luxury services to clients including Russians based in London.

A company spokesman told the BBC it is now “effective outside of Russia”.

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The BBC was also told that Quintessentially revoked the license of its Crimea franchise in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The company has insisted its operations in other countries will comply with sanctions, with anyone sanctioned having their membership revoked.

However, it is understood that no members have been sanctioned to date.

In addition to running Quintessentially, Mr. Elliot also serves as a fundraiser for the Conservative Party.

Labor claims the Conservatives have raised nearly £2million from people with ties to Russia since Boris Johnson appointed Mr Elliot as co-chair in July 2019.

And the Labor leader has urged the Conservatives to sack Mr Elliot, with Sir Keir Starmer telling reporters: “There are growing concerns about the links between the Conservative Party and Russian money – Ben Elliot is at the center.”

Conservatives say all donors are properly registered.