Thirty-eight Russian individuals and entities including Oleg Deripaska, one of the most well-known oligarchs in Britain, have been hit by new sanctions from Donald Trump.

Mr Deripaska, a 50-year-old energy tycoon, has been accused by America of acting “directly or indirectly” on behalf of the Russian government.

The US Treasury said Mr Deripaska had been accused of money laundering, “threatening the lives of business rivals” and illegally wire-tapping a government official.

The new sanctions were taken by America to punish Russia for its recent “malign behaviour” including its attempt to “subvert Western democracies” and support of the Syrian regime.