UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak Questioned On Wife Akshata Murthy's Link To Russia

Following its invasion of Ukraine, companies globally have been stopping operations in Russia. Countries like the United States, amongst others, have also imposed economic sanctions against Vladimir Putin-led Russia, as a move to express solidarity toward Ukraine, and create pressure on Putin to halt the invasion.

Even the Finance Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, has been stringent about the sanctions and had advised businesses to follow them. Earlier this month, Sunak, who is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, had said, "I am urging firms to think very carefully about their investments in Russia and how they may aid the Putin regime--and I am also clear that there is no case for new investment in Russia. We must collectively go further in our mission to inflict maximum economic pain- and to stop further bloodshed."

However, on March 24 Sunak found his words under scrutiny after the press questioned him on air if his advice to the businesses was not being followed in his own home.

Sunak, who resigned from his post recently, was then asked about his father-in-law Narayana Murthy's company Infosys' presence in Russia, a company in which his wife holds stakes. The Sky News reporter asked, "It's been reported that you've got family links to Russia, that your wife (Akshata Murthy) apparently has a stake in the Indian consultancy firm Infosys."

Rishi tendered his resignation following Health Secretary Sajid Javid's decision to resign from the Boris Johnson government. "The public rightly expects the government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning," he tweeted announcing his resignation.

Suggested Reading: Akshata Murty: Get To Know The Wife Of Britain PM Potential Rishi Sunak

Infosys Russian Presence Questioned

The reporter continued to question Sunak and asked, "They operate in Moscow, they have an office there, they have a delivery office there. They've got a connection to the Alpha Bank in Moscow. Are you giving advice to others that you're not following in your own home?"

To this Sunak said that he is giving the interview as an "elected politician" and talking about things that he's responsible for. He said, "My wife is not." On being asked if his family was benefitting under the Russian President Putin, he said, "I don't think that's the case, and as I said the operations of all companies are up to them."

Sunak also added that a significant amount of sanctions against Russia are in place and that all the companies are responsible for following those as they rightly should, as this will send a strong message to Putin and his aggression. As for Infosys and its presence in Russia, Sunak said that he had no idea because he has nothing to do with the company.

Addressing the matter of its presence in Russia, Infosys released a statement recently, saying that it supported peace between Russia and Ukraine. "Infosys has a small team of employees based out of Russia, that services dome of our global clients, locally. We do not have any active business relationships with local Russian enterprises," the statement further read.

The multinational company also stated that it has committed USD one million for those affected by war in Ukraine.

(Feature Image Credit: Telegraph UK)