Russia sanctions almost 300 British MPs in retaliatory move, but its list includes several errors

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  • Russia says it has banned 287 UK MPs from entering the country in retaliation to sanctions.

  • Russia's foreign ministry said the bans are because British MPs are creating "Russophobic hysteria."

  • The list includes a duplication and a number of names who have not served since 2019.

Russia has sanctioned nearly 300 British MPs in retaliation for restrictions imposed on members of its parliament, the Duma, last month, but has included a number of politicians who are no longer serving.

In its list of 287 individuals, the Kremlin has targeted current ministers including Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay, minister for Brexit opportunities Jacob Rees-Mogg, trade minister Penny Mordaunt, and solicitor general Alex Chalk, as well as senior MPs such as Jeremy Hunt, Steve Baker, David Davis and Julian Lewis.

However Russia has also gone after Rory Stewart, Dominic Grieve and Sarah Wollaston, who haven't been MPs since the 2019 election, and Charlie Elphicke, who stepped down after being found guilty on three counts of sexual assault.

In another error, Tory MP Heather Wheeler's name appears twice, as the 18th and 206th entries, meaning there are actually just 286 names on the list. Meanwhile Alun Cairns' name has been misspelled.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the politicians listed "cannot visit the Russian Federation from now on."

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," following the decision to sanction 386 members of the Duma after they backed Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

"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 demonizing 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."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and 10 other senior politicians — mostly members of the Cabinet — have already been barred. Theresa May, the former prime minister, was also on the initial list.

"Taking into account London's bet on the consistent strengthening of anti-Russian sanctions, work on countermeasures, including the expansion of the Russian 'stop list,' will continue," it added.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions shortly after the list was published, Boris Johnson said those on the list "should regard it as a badge of honour".

He vowed that the UK "keep up our robust and principled support for the Ukrainian people and their right to protect their lives, their families, and to defend themselves".

Chris Bryant, the senior Labour MP and prominent critic of the Putin regime, told the Commons he was "absolutely distressed that I am not on the list… and if I am honest slightly surprised".

He added: "I can only assume the Russian Federation accepts every single thing I have said about President Putin over the last few years is true. He is a barbarous villain and we should make sure he fails."

Peter Bone, one of the Tory MPs to feature on the list, said: "I am proud to have supported Ukraine and its people. I condemn Russia for its barbaric invasion. Sanctioning me will not stop me speaking out."

Tim Loughton, another of the sanctioned Conservatives, said he had "done the double", after he was also banned from China for speaking out against human rights abuses.

The list of MPs, as published by Russia's foreign ministry, can be seen here, or keep scrolling for the full list:

Conservative MPs

Labour MPs

  1. Lindsay Harvey HOYLE, Speaker of the House of Commons,

  2. Diane Julie ABBOTT,

  3. Deborah Angela Elspeth Marie ABRAHAMS,

  4. Michael Lee AMESBURY,

  5. Antonia Louise ANTONIAZZI,

  6. Jonathan Michael Graham ASHWORTH,

  7. Margaret Mary BECKETT,

  8. Clive James Charles BETTS,

  9. Paul Christopher BLOMFIELD,

  10. Kevin Denis BRENNAN,

  11. Karen Patricia BUCK,

  12. Richard BURGON,

  13. Don Petula BUTLER,

  14. Alan CAMPBELL,

  15. Dan Joseph CARDEN,

  16. Charalambos CHARALAMBOUS,

  17. Vernon Rodney COAKER,

  18. Neil Alan John COYLE,

  19. Stella Judith CREASY,

  20. Judith Mary Cummins,

  21. Janet Jessica DABY,

  22. Tarnmanjeet Singh DHESI,

  23. Peter Christopher DOWD,

  24. Rosie Clare DUFFIELD,

  25. Chris Philip James ELMORE,

  26. Victoria Jane FOXCROFT,

  27. Barry Strachan GARDINER,

  28. Ruth Stephanie Nicole GEORGE,

  29. Preet Kaur GILL,

  30. John Timothy GROGAN,

  31. Louise HAIGH,

  32. Fabian UZIELL-HAMILTON,

  33. David George HANSON,

  34. Carolin HARRIS,

  35. Susan Mary HAYMAN,

  36. John HEALEY,

  37. Margaret Olivia HILLIER,

  38. Sharon HODGSON,

  39. George Edward HOWARTH,

  40. Daniel Owen Woolgar JARVIS,

  41. Darren Paul JONES,

  42. Gerald JONES,

  43. Mohammed Afzal KHAN,

  44. Peter KYLE,

  45. Ian LAVERY,

  46. Emma Louise LEWELL-BUCK,

  47. Anthony Joseph LLOYD,

  48. Justin Piers Richard MADDERS,

  49. Khalid MAHMOOD,

  50. Rachel Helen MASKELL,

  51. Christian MATHESON,

  52. Kerry Gillian MCCARTHY,

  53. Conor Patrick MCGINN,

  54. James Ignatius O'Rourke MCMAHON,

  55. James Ian MEARNS,

  56. Stephen James MORGAN,

  57. Ian MURRAY,

  58. Alexander James Jordan NORRIS,

  59. Stephanie Louise PEACOCK,

  60. Luke POLLARD,

  61. Eleanor Claire REEVES,

  62. Matthew Richard Allen RODDA,

  63. Lloyd Cameron RUSSELL-MOYLE,

  64. Jeff SMITH,

  65. Nicholas Desmond John SMITH,

  66. Karin Marguerite SMYTH,

  67. Alexander David SOBEL,

  68. John Francis SPELLAR,

  69. Mark Richard TAMI,

  70. Gareth Richard THOMAS,

  71. Stephen Creswell TIMMS,

  72. Mary Elizabeth TWIST,

  73. Alan Patrick Vincent WHITEHEAD,

  74. Daniel Stephen ZEICHNER.

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