TWO Sussex MPs have expressed defiance after being included in a Russian sanctions list.

Twelve MPs from across the county were among a list of almost 300 banned from entering Russia after being accused of “whipping up Russophobic hysteria” by the Kremlin.

However, Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle and Lewes MP Maria Caulfield have said they will not be deterred from supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

Mr Russell-Moyle said: “I won’t be silenced in the same way Putin’s brutal regime seeks to shut down dissent inside Russia.

“This war is reprehensible and causing untold human misery and Russia must end it immediately.”

Ms Caulfield praised the government’s actions in sanctioning the Russian state and its continued support for the Ukrainian armed forces.

She said: “Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war in Ukraine must be punished and this government is leading the world in sanctions on the Russian state and their principal players in this conflict, as well as arming the Ukrainian military to allow their continued stand against this aggression.

“The fact that Russia sees my support for Ukraine as worthy of sanctions is a badge of honour I will take with pride. These sanctions imposed on myself and other members of Parliament will not deter us from our unwavering support for Ukraine.”

Full list of sanctioned Sussex MPs

  • Huw Merriman, Bexhill and Battle
  • Nicholas Gibb, Bognor and Littlehampton
  • Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Brighton Kemptown
  • Gilligan Keegan, Chichester
  • Henry Smith, Crawley
  • Tim Loughton, East Worthing and Shoreham
  • Jeremy Quin, Horsham
  • Peter Kyle, Hove
  • Maria Caulfield, Lewes
  • Mims Davis, Mid Sussex
  • Nusrat Ghani, Wealden
  • Peter Bottomley, Worthing West

The Argus: The Russian Foreign Ministry announced it was taking action against 287 MPs in response to sanctions made by the British government against Russian politicians: credit - Kremlin.ruThe Russian Foreign Ministry announced it was taking action against 287 MPs in response to sanctions made by the British government against Russian politicians: credit - Kremlin.ru

Only four MPs in Sussex, including Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas are not among the 287 members of the House of Commons sanctioned by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

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”.

It said: “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.

“The hostile rhetoric and far-fetched accusations coming from the lips of British parliamentarians not only condone the hostile course of London, aimed at demonising 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.”