A North East MP has said he will be stepping up office security after being added to a Russian sanctions list.
The Russian foreign ministry said on Wednesday it was taking action against 287 members of the House of Commons in response to sanctions against Russian politicians. Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov’s department announced the move in response to the UK sanctioning 386 members of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, last month.
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Among those on the list include Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery, South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck, Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell, Gateshead MP Ian Mearns and Blaydon MP Liz Twist. Mr Lavery said the move was "bizarre", but added: " I am not too not surprised to find myself on this list given my long standing support to the working men and woman of Ukraine that stretches back decades and continues to this day.
"To be honest I will not be losing too much sleep over being banned from a country I would not wish to visit under its current leadership, but do feel this is a wake up call and will be stepping up security in my office given the dangers that have been faced from opponents of Putin's regime."
Ms Lewell-Buck added: "Being sanctioned by a state that brutally invades another and carries out horrific barbarism towards innocent civilians doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, it is a testament to the values I, other Parliamentarians and the British public hold dear, democracy, freedom, the rule of law and right of countries to choose their own futures."
A translation of a statement reported by state-owned Russian news agency RIA Novosti said the sanctions were being applied “on the basis of reciprocity”.
“These persons, who are now banned from entering the Russian Federation, took the most active part in the establishment of anti-Russian sanctions instruments in London (and) contribute to the groundless whipping up of Russophobic hysteria in the UK,” it read.
“The hostile rhetoric and far-fetched accusations coming from the lips of British parliamentarians not only condone the hostile course of London, aimed at demonising our country and its international isolation, but are also used by opponents of a mutually respectful dialogue with Russia to undermine the foundation of bilateral co-operation."
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions today, Boris Johnson said: “It’s I think no disrespect to those who haven’t been sanctioned, when I say that all those 287 should regard it as a badge of honour.
“And what we will do is keep up our robust and principled support for the Ukrainian people and their right to protect their lives, their families, and to defend themselves. That’s what this country is doing, and that has the overwhelming support, I think, of the whole House.”
