Labour’s deputy leader says her party is clear that Vladimir Putin bears “absolute responsibility” for the bloodshed in Ukraine, after a number of MPs signed a statement heavily criticising Nato.
11 Labour MPs, including Gateshead’s Ian Mearns and Wansbeck’s Ian Lavery, had put their names to a statement issued by the Stop The War Coalition which said Nato “should call a halt to its eastward expansion” and accused the British Government of “aggressive posturing”.
All of the MPs subsequently withdrew their names on Thursday after being warned they risked losing the Labour whip.
