Former UK attorney general Lord Peter Goldsmith’s law firm, Debevoise & Plimpton, axed a number of Russian clients, but stopped short of criticising Vladimir Putin's government for its attack on Ukraine in its first statement since the invasion began on 24 February.

Lord Goldsmith and Debevoise have acted for the Russian state in various legal battles, including representing Russia in a series of disputes with shareholders of Yukos Oil who were claiming damages for the alleged expropriation of the company's assets by the government, Debevoise's website said.