A UK-based electric bus manufacturer supplying zero-emission buses in Oxfordshire hit back at Labour claims it has Putin ties.

Shadow transport minister Sam Tarry raised questions in the Commons about the Government awarding £15 million to Arrival which he described as being run by one of Vladimir Putin’s “closest allies”.

Mr Tarry pointed to funding Arrival received under the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (Zebra) scheme.

READ MORE: Council awarded more than £30 million for 159 electric buses to serve Oxfordshire

The Government programme is intended to help local transport authorities outside London introduce zero-emission buses, Oxfordshire County Council being awarded £30 million as part of this scheme.

Arrival was founded and is run by Denis Sverdlov, a businessman and former Russian deputy minister of communications and mass media.

The bus company, which has sites in Oxfordshire, hit back and insisted the funding would be used for the production of zero-emission buses that have been developed and will be built in the UK by UK-based employees.

The company added Mr Sverdlov has “never had a personal relationship” with Russian President Mr Putin.

READ MORE: 'Zero Emission Zone will fuel cost of living crisis' say critics of traffic charge

Mr Tarry told MPs: “This Government is supposed to have sanctioned everyone connected to the Russian Government as a result of the horrific war in Ukraine, so I’ve got one simple question: why are millions of pounds of UK taxpayers’ money being handed to one of Putin’s own nomenklatura?

“This isn’t bus back better, this is buses straight to Russia.”

Nomenklatura were people appointed to influential positions in communist countries.

Transport minister Andrew Stephenson said: “I’m more than happy to raise the issue that the shadow minister raises with my honourable friend the bus minister in the other place (the House of Lords), and we will certainly look into the details of what he alleges.”

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A spokeswoman for Arrival said: “Arrival provides over 1,500 UK jobs across sites in London and Oxfordshire.

“All proceeds related to the funding will remain in the UK and be used entirely to produce electric vehicles for our partners in the UK. Arrival satisfies all of the requirements to receive this funding.

“Arrival does not manufacture any of its vehicles or parts in Russia.

“Arrival has also announced that it is winding down any operations it did have in Russia and has already moved the majority of its Russian-based employees outside the country. Arrival, like all companies, has rightly been scrutinised as part of the current sanctions but no government jurisdiction in the world has sanctioned or criticised Arrival’s operations.

“Regarding comments on Denis Sverdlov’s relationship with President Putin – he has never had a personal relationship with the President. Denis worked as deputy minister in the wider government over a one-year period, implementing reforms within the telecoms industry. In August 2013, Denis left his position to return to the private sector and pursue his passion for disruptive technologies.

“He has been living in London with his family for over seven years where he founded Arrival. He has had no further involvement with the Russian government since leaving his deputy minister role.”

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This story was written by Shosha Adie

She joined the team in 2022 as a digital reporter.   

To get in touch with her email: Shosha.Adie@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter: @ShoshaAdie

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