FORMER Keighley Labour MP John Grogan is on a list of British politicians banned from entering Russia.

Nearly 300 mainly-serving members of parliament have been sanctioned by President Putin.

The list also includes Shipley Conservative MP Philip Davies.

Mr Grogan is a strong supporter of Ukraine.

He chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine between 2005-10 and in recent years has worked closely with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

Mr Grogan visited the country in late January, just weeks before the Russian invasion.

"Nobody I had discussions with predicted that President Putin would launch a full-scale assault on their neighbour but it was evident that if he did so there would be massive resistance," he said.

"One person I met was from the Russian-speaking city of Kharkiv and his grandfather was a hero of the Soviet Union fighting Hitler in the Second World War. The family are now enthusiastic supporters of Ukraine and like most of their fellow citizens in that city, do not want to lose their freedom.

"I am pleased that in the United Kingdom there is widespread cross-party backing for Ukraine and we must be prepared for a long haul."

Mr Grogan added: "In 2005 I strongly supported the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, which successfully forced a fresh presidential election after a Kremlin-backed candidate had rigged the first ballot. And in 2008 I represented the British Government in Kyiv at a ceremony when a monument was unveiled commemorating the Holodomor, which was a manmade famine of the Ukrainian peasantry in the 1930s deliberately caused by Stalin. Then as now, a Russian leader was threatening the very existence of the Ukrainian people and nation."

Mr Davies says MPs who are alleged to have played "the most active part" in establishing anti-Russia sanctions have been included on the list of those barred from the country.

He said: "The UK Government has been right to lead the world in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, and I am proud to have played my small part in supporting that.

"If the penalty for that is to be banned from Russia and sanctioned by its Government then so be it. That is a very small price to pay compared to the unbearable suffering the Ukrainians are facing at the hands of the Russians."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said those on the list “should regard it as a badge of honour”.