An MP has been sanctioned by the Russian government, in the latest set of retaliatory measures against British officials.
The Kremlin announced on Monday that it had imposed sanctions on 18 British citizens, in response to what it claimed was the exacerbation of anti-Russian sentiment.
Among those on the list of sanctioned politicians, academics and public figures were three officials in the UK Defence Department, including South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge, the Minister for Defence Procurement.
The sanctions prohibit the 18 British individuals named from entering Russia, and also place a freeze on any assets they may have in the country.
It is believed that this action by the Kremlin is in retaliation to sanctions recently imposed by the UK government against high-profile Russian figures for their support of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A statement from Russia’s foreign ministry said: “We are forced to state that Russophobically charged British representatives do not shy away from trying to discredit the constitutional system and socio-political processes in our country.
“The so-called brain trusts operating on the basis of the largest British and Western educational institutions make a significant contribution to the subversive work of London in the Russian direction.”
Other sanctioned officials include deputy national security adviser Sarah MacIntosh and director of submarines Simon Asquith.
Published in the Suffolk Free Press.