Michael Fabricant has been “sanctioned” by the Russian Foreign Ministry along with 286 other MPs and former Members of Parliament.

Raising the matter in the House of Commons with the Speaker immediately following Prime Minister’s Questions, Michael asked:

“The Interfax news agency in Moscow under an hour ago announced that the Foreign Ministry of the Russian government will now sanction 287 members and former members of the House of Commons, from both sides of this House. I am proud to say Mr Speaker that both you and I are on that list!

“Mr Speaker, are you able to give any advice to members of the House of Commons regarding this?”

The Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle replied: “I think it is an important matter,  and I am grateful to the Honourable gentleman for letting me know at the start of questions that he wanted to catch my eye. Although the issue raised is not strictly a point of order, I am of course alarmed to hear what he has reported to the Chamber.

“Rather than give a knee-jerk reaction now, I am sure the Government will rapidly be assessing the implications of this move. I am therefore asking the Government to keep me and the House authorities briefed on this very important issue, and I shall make sure that members are kept informed as appropriate.”

Commenting now, Michael says: “I would have been quite insulted had I not been sanctioned by the Russian Government given my well known criticism of Putin and my regular highlighting of both the cruelty and incompetence of the Russian Army.”