Five of county’s MPS given the ‘honour’ of Russia ban

ALL but one of Gloucestershire’s six MPS have been banned from entering Russia as the war in Ukraine continues.

But many of those who have been sanctioned called it a “badge of honour”.

Five of the county’s MPS – all of whom are Conservative – are among 300 who have been sanctioned by Russia due to the UK’S stance on standing with Ukraine after Vladimir Putin’s invasion in February.

The ban is being taken as retaliation for Britain’s sanctioning of 386 members of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, last month.

While the majority of those banned by Russia are Conservative MPS, 74 Labour MPS also appear on the list.

The only Gloucestershire MP who hasn’t been santioned is Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie and this is believed to be due to Russia relying on an outdated list of MPS. Cheltenham’s Alex Chalk said: “Slightly odd that the list includes MPS who left Parliament years ago... I won’t be changing my holiday plans.”

Meanwhile Gloucester MP Richard Graham said: “Like anyone who travels I’ve had my ups and downs – jail in Libya, twice arrested in China, avoided kidnap in Sulu, might have died in the Taklamakan Desert (Xinjiang) etc. But sanctioned with many colleagues by Russia during Waronukraine is a modest badge of honour.”

Having called out Boris Johnson over “Partygate”, Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper was happy to take the PM’S line by being “proud” of his ban from Russia.

Mr Harper tweeted: “Proud to be on this list with many of my colleagues in the House of Commons. Russia really hates being called out for their illegal invasion of Ukraine and disgraceful war crimes. The United Kingdom stands with Ukraine.”

Also banned is Tewkesbury’s Laurence Robertson, who told Gloucestershire Live: “I don’t know what I’ve done to offend the Russian leadership. But they’ve done an awful lot to offend me and most people in the rest of the world.”