Belarusian companies bypassing sanctions by importing through Russia, MP warns

Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh said a Belarusian manufacturer was still trading in the UK by importing goods from Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (Vladimir Astapkovich, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool/AP) (AP)

Russian and Belarusian companies are avoiding sanctions put in place after the war in Ukraine began to continue doing business in the UK, ministers have been told.

Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh said a Belarusian manufacturer was still trading in the UK by importing goods from Russia, due to loopholes in the trade restrictions on both countries.

The Mitcham and Morden MP raised the case of a group of British companies who make parts for rolling garage doors, which used to do business with a Belarusian aluminium supplier.