Scots politicians given Russian travel ban
KATE Forbes and Angus Robertson have been barred from entering Russia in response to aid given to Ukraine following the invasion.
In a statement yesterday, the Russian foreign ministry said the additions to the country’s ‘stop list’ were due to ‘continued application by the UK Government of the mechanism of sanctions’ against Russians.
Holyrood Finance Secretary Miss Forbes, Constitution Secretary Mr Robertson and Ukraine minister Neil Gray were all placed on the list.
Nationalist MSP Fiona Hyslop was also sanctioned but was mistakenly described as ‘Scottish cabinet secretary for economic, labour and cultural affairs’ – Miss Hyslop was economy, fair work and culture secretary until last year. On Twitter, Mr Robertson said: ‘The Russian foreign ministry clearly doesn’t like criticism of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and dislikes those who support Ukrainian freedom.’
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, Scottish Green co-leader – and Scottish Government minister – Lorna Slater and her fellow Green MSP Ross Greer have also been placed on the list, as has Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: ‘One day, after Putin’s army has been defeated and his government swept away by the tides of history, I hope that I will have the chance to visit and meet with those who have bravely stood up against the Russian regime.
‘Until that happens, I will wear this ban as a badge of honour.
‘The UK must redouble its efforts to help Ukraine achieve victory on the battlefield, while here in Scotland, our Government must get serious about patching the holes in the refugee scheme and helping those who have fled to our shores.’
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy and former Nato secretary-general George Robertson were also among those banned from entering Russia.
A number of journalists were also banned yesterday, including Piers Morgan, BBC newsreader Huw Edwards and ITV journalist Robert Peston.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was similarly sanctioned earlier this year.