NORTHWICH MP Mike Amesbury is among almost 300 British MPs banned from entering Russia.

The Labour MP has appeared on a 287-name ‘banned’ list of Tory and Labour parliamentarians released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

They say he 'contributed to the groundless whipping up of Russophobic hysteria in the UK'.

A document accompanying the list says those banned ‘took the most active part in the establishment of anti-Russian sanctions’.

Mr Amesbury, who has hit out at Russia and President Putin in speeches before Parliament, sees the banning order as a ‘badge of honour’.

He said: “I stand with Ukraine. This is Putin’s war, Putin is the aggressor.

“He has invaded a sovereign nation and we have seen the horrors inflicted on the Ukrainian people. Putin needs to withdraw.

“I also stand with those in Russia who are bravely opposing the war. Governments, including our own, need to step up sanctions against the Putin regime.”

Mr Amesbury, who has helped secure visas for Ukrainian refugees fleeing to relatives and hosts in his constituency, wants the Government to cut the bureaucracy involved in the process.

He added: “People have opened their hearts and their homes. The generosity of the public now needs to be matched by a generous response from ministers.” 

A statement accompanying the list of banned MPs says the action is in response to the UK Government’s decision to include 386 deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on its sanctions list.

In a reciprocal move, the Russian Federation has imposed personal restrictions on 287 members of the House of Commons.

The statement reads: “These persons, who are no longer allowed to enter 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.

“The hostile rhetoric and far-fetched accusations coming from the mouths of British parliamentarians not only condone the hostile course of London, aimed at demonizing our country and its international isolation, but are also used by opponents of mutually respectful dialogue with Russia to undermine the foundation of bilateral cooperation.”