Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to President Putin on the death of Boris Nemtsov.

We are deeply concerned by the appalling murder of Boris Nemtsov, who stood for democracy, rule of law, freedom of expression, and a state accountable to the people. Sir John Major attended the memorial in Moscow on 3 March on behalf of the Government. We call upon the Russian authorities to ensure that the investigation into the murder is transparent, impartial, and evidence-based, and that those responsible are brought to justice in line with the rule of law.