RUSSIA has blacklisted four Scottish MPs for “hysterical statements” and “outright rudeness”.
The country’s ministry of foreign affairs announced on Wednesday that it had put personal sanctions on Labour MPs Johanna Baxter and Blair McDougall, LibDem MP Alistair Carmichael, and SNP MP Stephen Gethins.
A further 17 British parliamentarians – six peers in the Lords and 11 MPs – were also sanctioned.
In a statement, the Russian department said: “The comprehensive nature of the anti-Russian sanctions introduced by Great Britain and the hysterical statements of the country's officials, in which threats are interspersed with lies and outright rudeness towards us, indicate that London does not intend to abandon its choice in favour of open confrontation with Russia.
“Russophobia and the desire to destroy Russian statehood remain integral elements of British foreign policy, which is completely subordinated to the task of inflicting as much damage as possible on our national interests.”
The ministry added that “hostile statements and unfounded accusations” from MPs aided “opponents of mutually respectful dialogue with Russia to undermine the foundations of bilateral cooperation”.
Gethins, the MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, said: "No one should be under any illusion about Vladimir Putin’s administration.
"It is one that has caused death and destruction to its own citizens and to that of its democratic and independent neighbours.
"This is not a regime that believes in the dignity of human life, human rights for its own citizens or respects its neighbours. I will take it as a source of comfort that such a despicable regime has sought to sanction me."
The sanctions mean the 21-strong list, including MPs and peers, will be barred from entering Russia.
They are not the first UK parliamentarians barred from Russia, with sanctions previously being announced against MSPs including Kate Forbes, Lorna Slater, Ross Greer (above), Alex Cole-Hamilton, and Neil Gray.
Also banned are Keir Starmer, David Lammy and news personalities including Piers Morgan, Robert Peston, and disgraced former BBC presenter Huw Edwards.
