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Robert Courts

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Robert Courts
MP
Courts in 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 September 2020
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byKelly Tolhurst
Member of Parliament
for Witney
Incumbent
Assumed office
20 October 2016
Preceded byDavid Cameron
Majority15,177 (24.7%)
Personal details
Born (1978-10-21) 21 October 1978 (age 45)[1]
Stockport, Greater Manchester, England[2]
Political partyConservative
Alma materUniversity of Sheffield
WebsiteOfficial website

Robert Alexander Courts (born 21 October 1978) is a British barrister and Conservative Party politician serving as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport since 2020.

Courts has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Witney since winning the seat at by-election in 2016, succeeding former Prime Minister, David Cameron. He retained his seat in the 2017 and 2019 general elections. Courts was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2019 to 2020.

Early life and career

Courts was schooled at Berkhamsted School, where he was head of Fry's House, before reading law at the University of Sheffield.[3][4] Courts was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 2003 and practises as a barrister at 3PB Chambers principally in the fields of personal injury/clinical negligence and public and regulatory law especially Animal Welfare, Aviation, Police and Proceeds of Crime Law.[5] He worked in Wellington, New Zealand, at the Crown Law Office (Legal Advisors) for the New Zealand Government in 2009.[5]

Political career

Courts stood as a Council candidate in Solihull in 2002 but was unsuccessful. Courts was elected a Conservative member of West Oxfordshire District Council in 2014.[6] He was selected as the Conservative Party candidate to replace David Cameron—who had resigned as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in July and from Parliament in September—as Member of Parliament in the 2016 Witney by-election.[6] Courts retained the seat for the Conservatives in the 20 October 2016 by-election, but his majority of 5,702 was considerably smaller than the 25,155-strong majority Cameron won in the 2015 general election. He was sworn into the House on 24 October.[7] He increased his majority to over 21,000 in the snap 2017 general election.

Courts supported the successful 'Leave' campaign in the EU referendum on 23 June 2016.[8] He is a member of the eurosceptic European Research Group, having subscribed in April 2017.[9] Courts was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in January 2018,[10] but resigned as a PPS on 15 July 2018, in protest of the White Paper on Exiting the European Union and the Chequers Agreement.[11][12][13] Courts was a keen supporter of the proposed free trade deal with Australia and New Zealand, describing it as a 'no-brainer'.[14]

Courts' main Parliamentary interests are defence and foreign policy. He is credited by the House of Commons library with helping to lead the “parliamentary pressure” that led to the announcement of the Ministry of Defence's Combat Air Strategy, the programme for the eventual replacement of the Eurofighter Typhoon.[15] He has become one of the leading parliamentary speakers on the Armed Forces, with a particular specialisation in the Royal Air Force. Courts represents RAF Brize Norton, the largest RAF base in the UK, and serves as the Vice Chair (RAF) of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces. Courts is not listed as having any military experience.[16][17][18] Courts is a council member of the Air League.[19]

On 8 May 2019, Courts initiated and led a parliamentary debate on 'Human Rights in West Papua.'[20] This historic debate was the first time MPs had ever debated West Papua in the House of Commons.[citation needed]. Courts is a supporter of HS2.[21]

As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Small and Micro Business, Courts has been a leading parliamentary campaigner for the interests of small businesses. Courts has consistently protested against the increasing bureaucracy and red face taping small firms, and called for a full review of the business rates system.[citation needed] Regarding parliamentary procedure, Courts has been an outspoken critic of Early Day Motions (EDMs), describing them as "parliamentary graffiti." Courts has said that EDMs are generally tabled by MPs on behalf of "lobbyists or groups keen to show themselves as doing something", that they are "politically impotent" and a waste of taxpayers' money.[22]

Courts currently serves on two Parliamentary Select Committees: the Transport Committee, which he was elected to in October 2018, and the Justice Committee, which he joined in January 2019. In August 2019, Courts was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of the State for the Environment, Theresa Villiers. Courts was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport on 8 September 2020.[23]

Support of decision to prorogue parliament

Courts defended the government decision to prorogue parliament stating "This prorogation is standard parliamentary procedure and is essential if the new Government is to deliver the ambitious domestic agenda that addresses the public’s top priorities: investing in the NHS, schools and cutting crime."[24] Subsequently a unanimous judgment from 11 justices of the supreme court ruled that Boris Johnson’s advice to the Queen that parliament should be prorogued for five weeks at the height of the Brexit crisis was unlawful.[25][26]

Support of Dominic Cummings

Courts issued a statement in support of Dominic Cummings following his alleged breach of lockdown regulations.[27]

Minor breach of parliamentary standards

Courts refunded the house authorities £3,010.99 after Kathryn Stone, parliamentary commissioner for standards, found that he breached the rules when he had used its pre-paid envelopes to send campaign updates to his constituents. Courts told the BBC: "This was a genuine mistake, for which I have apologised and repaid the money."[28]

Payments to Constituency Association by property developers

In the first quarter of 2021 thirty six donations totalling £891,984 (14% of the £6,418,295 of the total donations reported to the party) were made by property developers to the Conservative Party central office and directly to eight local associations, which included that of Courts' constituency at a time when Courts was a junior transport minister and the government was preparing to launch sweeping changes to the planning system.[29]

Receipt and defence of donations associated with Russian influence

Courts' Witney Conservative Association has received £17,975 from Lubov Chernukhin (also called Luba Chernukhin), a London-resident British citizen of Russian origin.[30][31][32] The £3,000 donation registered in Feb 2020 is described in the register of financial interests for MPs as for "my 2019 fighting fund".[33] Chernukhin is a former banker and the biggest female political donor in UK history.[34][35] Her husband Vladimir Chernukhin was deputy finance minister under Vladimir Putin in the early 2000s before being appointed chairman of Vnesheconombank (VEB), a bank and state corporation with reported close ties to the Russian government.[34][36][37] Vladimir Chernukhin reportedly received $8m in April 2016 from a British Virgin Islands company controlled by the children of Suleyman Kerimov, a member of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian legislature.[38][39] Suleyman Kerimov, who reportedly initiated the transaction[40], is named in the United States Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). In April 2018, the United States imposed sanctions on Suleyman Kerimov.[41][42][43][44] The majority of Lubov Chernukhin’s political donations (92% of the £2,109,279[45]) came after the reported $8m payment linked to Suleyman Kerimov was made to her husband on 26 April 2016.[46][47] Vladimir Chernukhin has previously used an intermediary to avoid publicly disclosing an interest in a transaction.[48]

Chernukhin is one of three Russia-connected directors (Chernukhin, Alexander Temerko, Viktor Fedotov) of one entity (SEL (2010) LIMITED,[49] a loss-making and now dissolved entity that was ultimately controlled from Cyprus) that have together directly and indirectly donated over £3.5m to the Conservative Party, including to three MPs who are or have been members of the Intelligence and Security Committee (Prichard, Villiers, Field) and one MP who served as Minister for Security and Deputy for EU Exit (Lewis).

"The Russia Report" concluded that Russian interference in UK politics is commonplace.[50][51] The Electoral Commission has raised concerns about political donations to the Conservatives from Lubov Chernukhin, according to emails released to the media platform OpenDemocracy in September 2020.[52] Journalist and Russia expert Edward Lucas, who writes for The Times and who gave evidence to the parliamentary inquiry into Russian influence, told the BBC’s Panorama programme: "The Chernukhins, pleasant people that they might be… are not fit and proper people to make donations to a British political party." Lucas said he was "profoundly concerned by the access that, not only Lubov Chernukhin but also other rich Russians have to the heights of the Conservative Party, and to the government".[38]

Shadow security minister Conor McGinn said: "The scathing Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament report on Russia was clear that protecting our democratic discourse and processes from hostile foreign interference is a central responsibility of government, and should be a ministerial priority ... These revelations create serious questions for the Government to answer about how effectively they are discharging that duty and whether there are any conflicting interests that have emerged as a result of these donations."[47]

Courts said Lubov Chernukhin was a "British citizen and is perfectly entitled to make political donations".  "All donations to the local Conservative Association are received in accordance with UK law and registered with the Electoral Commission," Courts stated to the Local Democracy Reporting service, reported in July 2020.[30] Following Courts' statement The Oxford Mail (a local paper that covers Courts' constituency, but was refused an interview on this matter) ran an editorial entitled "Yes, Mr Courts, the money was perfectly legal. So is saying 'no'" and posed "However all of this begs the questions: how much money would be cause for concern? And just how close does a donor have to be to Vladimir Putin before we find their generosity unpalatable?"[53] On 12 February 2021 Courts' constituency party accepted a further £14,975 from Lubov Chernukhin.[54]

Personal life

Courts lives with his wife and two young children in the village of Bladon. He is a member of St Martin's Church Parochial Church Council.[citation needed]

He has been a member of the Churchill Centre for many years, and reviews books about Churchill in the quarterly journal, Finest Hour.[55]

Courts is a blues guitarist and enjoys cycling, swimming, and hiking. He is also a diver, interested in the marine environment; he is a member of the Marine Conservation Society.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "MyParliament - Biography for Robert Courts". My Parliament.
  2. ^ "Search Results - Birth, Marriage, Death - findmypast.co.uk". search.findmypast.co.uk.
  3. ^ "Whither Witney? The by-election everyone's watching". www1.dehavilland.co.uk. 23 September 2016. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017.
  4. ^ https://uk.linkedin.com/in/robertcourts
  5. ^ a b "Robert Courts – 3 Paper Buildings Barristers' Chambers". www.3pb.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  6. ^ a b Association, Press (22 September 2016). "Robert Courts chosen as Tory candidate for David Cameron's constituency". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Tracy Brabin and Robert Courts sworn in as MPs". BBC News. 24 October 2016. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  8. ^ Elgot, Jessica (11 October 2016). "Witney byelection: hard Brexit may be key issue in Cameron's former constituency". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Robert Courts - IPSA". IPSA. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  10. ^ "List of Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPS): January 2018". Gov.uk.
  11. ^ "May suffers yet another resignation as Robert Courts quits over her Brexit plan". Sky News. 15 July 2018.
  12. ^ Mikhailova, Anna (15 July 2018). "Theresa May hit by her eighth resignation over Brexit plans in nine days, as ministerial aide quits". The Daily Telegraph.
  13. ^ Sabbagh, Dan (15 July 2018). "Theresa May faces rebellion from Brexit hardliners in customs bill vote". The Guardian.
  14. ^ "The Telegraph: Free Trade with our Aussie and Kiwi Allies is a No-brainer". Robert Courts MP. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  15. ^ Brooke-Holland, Louisa (15 May 2018). "Prospects for combat air: What follows Typhoon and Lightning?". UK Parliament.
  16. ^ at 2:24pm, 18th December 2019. "Service History: How Many MPs Have Military Experience?". Forces Network. Retrieved 12 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ https://www.gov.uk/government/news/parliaments-veterans-show-support-for-the-armed-forces. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/255670/PhotoKeyFINAL.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ https://www.airleague.co.uk/about-us/key-people/
  20. ^ "West Papua: Human Rights - Hansard". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  21. ^ "Robert Courts compared to 'HS2 - In Favour'". www.publicwhip.org.uk. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Early Day Motions". Robert Courts. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  23. ^ "Robert Courts MP". GOV.UK. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  24. ^ "Robert Comments on Decision to Prorogue Parliament". Robert Courts MP. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  25. ^ "Boris Johnson's suspension of parliament unlawful, supreme court rules". the Guardian. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  26. ^ Davis, Fergal (24 September 2019). "Decision of the Supreme Court on the Prorogation of Parliament". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  27. ^ "Statement on Dominic Cummings". Robert Courts MP. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Robert Courts MP repays £3k for House of Commons 'stationery misuse'". BBC News. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  29. ^ "Property developers gave Tories £891,000 in first quarter of 2021". the Guardian. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Robert Courts MP defends donation from Lubov Chernukhin". BBC News. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  31. ^ "House of Commons - The Register of Members' Financial Interests (10 August 2020: Courts, Robert )". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  32. ^ "View donation - The Electoral Commission". search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  33. ^ "House of Commons - The Register of Members' Financial Interests (10 August 2020: Courts, Robert )". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  34. ^ a b "Lubov Chernukhin: Tories' tennis-bidding, record-setting donor". the Guardian. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  35. ^ Reporter, Sean O’Neill, Chief. "Oligarch called for investigation into rival's wealth". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 25 May 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ Protess, Ben; Kramer, Andrew E.; McIntire, Mike (5 June 2017). "Bank at Center of U.S. Inquiry Projects Russian 'Soft Power'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Russian bank admits its executives met with Jared Kushner in December". The Independent. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  38. ^ a b "FinCEN Files: Tory donor Lubov Chernukhin linked to $8m Putin ally funding". BBC News. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Tory donor's husband 'given $8m by Kremlin-linked oligarch'". the Guardian. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  40. ^ "FinCEN Files: Tory donor Lubov Chernukhin linked to $8m Putin ally funding". BBC News. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  41. ^ "Treasury Designates Russian Oligarchs, Officials, and Entities in Response to Worldwide Malign Activity | U.S. Department of the Treasury". home.treasury.gov. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  42. ^ Higgins, Andrew; Matsnev, Oleg; Nechepurenko, Ivan (6 April 2018). "Meet the 7 Russian Oligarchs Hit by the New U.S. Sanctions". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  43. ^ Staff, Reuters (7 April 2018). "Russian businessmen, officials on new U.S. sanctions list". Reuters. Retrieved 25 May 2021. {{cite news}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  44. ^ Meers, Jelter. "New US Sanctions Target Russian Corruption and Crime". www.occrp.org. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  45. ^ "Search - The Electoral Commission". search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  46. ^ "FinCEN Files: Tory donor Lubov Chernukhin linked to $8m Putin ally funding". BBC News. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  47. ^ a b "Tories urged to return £1.7m from donor over 'ties to Putin ally'". The Independent. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  48. ^ "Contracting with Disclosed Principals: Who is Your Counterparty?". Shearman & Sterling. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  49. ^ "SEL (2010) LIMITED - Officers (free information from Companies House)". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  50. ^ "Did Russia Influence Brexit?". www.csis.org. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  51. ^ "Russia report reveals UK government failed to investigate Kremlin interference". the Guardian. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  52. ^ "Revealed: Electoral Commission's private concerns about Russian Tory donors". openDemocracy. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  53. ^ "Yes, Mr Courts, the money was perfectly legal. So is saying 'no'". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  54. ^ "View donation - The Electoral Commission". search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  55. ^ "Books, Arts, & Curiosities - European Unity - Finest Hour". The International Churchill Society. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Witney
2016–present 		Incumbent
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