A NORTH Essex MP who has been banned from Russia says he has been warning people about the country ever since a “toxic” visit 13 years ago.

Sir Bernard Jenkin was sanctioned on Wednesday by the Kremlin for the alleged “whipping up of Russophobic hysteria”.

In total, 287 UK MPs were banned from entering Russia as Moscow announced retaliatory sanctions to actions taken against Russian politicians by the UK Government.

Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard told the Gazette he “would have been sorry” if he had been left out of such a list.

He said: “Being sanctioned by Russia will have no practical effect on anything I usually do.

Gazette: Warning - Sir Bernard JenkinWarning - Sir Bernard Jenkin

“I did travel to Moscow with the Defence Committee in 2009 after the Russian invasion of part of Georgia.

“We were friendly, the atmosphere was toxic. They searched our hotel rooms when we were out, bugged our phones and broke into our hold luggage.

“Hence I’ve been warning about Russia ever since.”

Among north Essex MPs sanctioned by the Kremlin is Colchester MP Will Quince, with Witham MP and Home Secretary Priti Patel already banned, while Clacton’s Giles Watling escaped any form of sanction.

Mr Quince said: “I and the Government remain unwavering in our support for the Ukrainian people in the face of Putin’s barbaric and illegal invasion.”

Gazette: Support - Will QuinceSupport - Will Quince (Image: UK Parliament)

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the MPs “should regard it as a badge of honour”, and multiple politicians welcomed being included on the list in the Commons.

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Johnson said: “It’s, I think, no disrespect to those who haven’t been sanctioned when I say that all those 287 should regard it as a badge of honour.

“And what we will do is keep up our robust and principled support for the Ukrainian people and their right to protect their lives, their families, and to defend themselves.”

On Wednesday night, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Russian forces must be pushed out of “the whole of Ukraine”.

In a keynote speech in London, Ms Truss said victory for Ukraine was now a “strategic imperative” for the West.