Southport Ex-MP John Pugh Shocked Over Former Welsh Reform Leader's Espionage

Following the news that the former Reform Leader for Wales, Nathan Gill has been sentenced to 10 years for taking bribes from Russia to help Putin in his war in Ukraine, Liberal Democrat, John Pugh, former MP for Southport, has expressed shock.

“ I’m genuinely shocked, dismayed and disappointed. “ he says , “It’s not just the money -it’s the  complete failure to appreciate that Ukraine is fighting an existential threat to Western Democracy as a whole- democracy that Russia seek to undermine every day through cyber warfare as well as on the battlefield. Next in line are the Baltic States of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia - formerly in Russia’s grasp.

Farage saying that he admires Putin as an operator and that the West indirectly provoked the war is bad enough, but co-operating with Putin is worse than appeasing him and that is what the former Reform Leader for Wales was sentenced for. Many of us are struggling to process that.

We in Southport are currently sheltering Ukrainian families. This is a very anxious time for them. They are scared. Unlike asylum seekers, Ukrainians here can legally work and support themselves and do, but they cannot claim citizenship and neither can they easily return if their homes are near to the frontline or behind enemy lines. We need to appreciate that Putin is a power hungry, persistent dictator who clearly does not lose any sleep over the death of others- Ukrainian or Russian.

Whether you are in Southport or Kiev it’s not great to live in a world where might is right and worth fighting for better alternatives

When the war started I produced pro-Ukraine posters for Southport I am beginning to think a re-issue might be needed. "

Posters can be supplied by e-mailing     -cllrjohnpugh@gmail .com