Russia has called for the arrest of a former UK defence secretary and branded him a “terrorist” and “extremist”, as tensions between Moscow and London threaten to boil over. The Kremlin has frequently rolled out its attack dogs to savage Western politicians it feels insulted and slighted by.
US President Donald Trump has at times been singled out for particular rough treatment, as has France’s Emmanuel Macron. Both statesmen got on the wrong side of Russia’s prickly strongman, Vladimir Putin. Now it is the turn of a former Conservative politician and Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, to feel the wrath of the Kremlin tyrant.
The former Tory recently attended the Warsaw Security Forum, where he urged Western leaders to help Ukraine “choke the life out of Crimea”.
“I think if Putin will realise he’s got something to lose, it (Crimea) is not inhabitable or not possible for it to function, and that bridge, we need Tauruses [cruise missiles] in from Germany, we need to smash the Kerch Bridge, because that’s a statue to Putin’s ego, and I think if we do that Putin will suddenly realise he’s got something to lose.”
Igor Korotchenko, a military analyst and editor-in-chief of Russia’s National Defence magazine, was wheeled out on to state TV to lead a verbal barrage against Mr Wallace.
Working himself up into a lather, he thundered: “I believe a decision is necessary to recognise this politician as a terrorist and extremist.
“We have the appropriate authorities in Russia. This must be done quickly, decisively and rigidly.
“So that if an opportunity arises to capture him on the territory of some third country, he would be taken to Russia, convicted and sentenced as a terrorist.”
Mr Wallace served as the UK’s Defence Secretary from July 2019 until the end of August 2923.
A former captain in the Scottish Guards, he was the MP for Wyre and Preston North for 19 years. He decided to stand down from his seat at the last election, to pursue other interests.