there is a very strict and stringent process when anyone is granted a peerage. i don't know the facts of the case — i wasn't involved in it — but i do know that it was applied very rigorously in this case. downing street said all individuals nominated for a peerage were done so in recognition of their contribution to society, and all peerages were vetted by the house of lords appointments commission. earlier this week, lord lebedev added his voice to the condemnation of the attack on ukraine. in his paper, the evening standard, he issued a personal appeal to vladimir putin to stop the war. helen catt, bbc news. the home office in the uk has said "around 50" visas had been given the green light under the ukraine family scheme as of 10am. some 5,535 online applications have been completed and submitted online and 2,368 people had booked a visa appointment to submit their application and biometric information, the government said. the home secretary priti patel responded to criticism by the french interior minister that british officials were not doing enough to help ukrainians stuck in calais.