Facts

While sanctions were later to be imposed on Roman Abramovich, the  Russian Oligarch and owner of Chelsea Football Club was not facing any when Johnson made his remark. 

MP Chris Bryant attempted to challenge the PM on this point later that day in the House of Commons, but Mr Johnson walked out of the chamber before he had a chance to finish his question. 

The PM’s official spokesman later said Boris Johnson had “misspoken” and would correct the record. Mr Johnson then published a written correction admitting that “Roman Abramovich has not been the subject of targeted measures”. 

Verdict

This website records well over 50 occasions when the Prime Minister has lied or made misleading statements in parliament. With only one exception these false statements have (at the time of writing) been left uncorrected in defiance of the Ministerial Code. This one exception concerns Boris Johnson’s false claim that Roman Abramovich was “already facing sanctions.”

We approached Mr Johnson’s office, the Cabinet Office and the No 10 Press Office to give him a chance to respond. No answer.