UK government may legalise using Russian oligarchs homes for Ukrainian refugees

The government is “looking at” the possibility of legislating to allow the UK homes of sanctioned Russian oligarchs to be used to house Ukrainian refugees, Downing Street has said.

The confirmation from Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson came after communities secretary Michael Gove said he wanted to explore the possible use of the luxury properties for humanitarian purposes.

But the spokesperson indicated that Mr Johnson would not himself be taking in a Ukrainian refugee – as cabinet colleague Grant Shapps has offered to – because of the security complications of housing someone at No 10.