Boris urged to 'wake up' over Russian threat

The Labour MP for Dudley North said ministers had failed to properly address the problem of Russian crooks bringing money into the UK, citing the lack of action against those involved in the death of anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky as evidence.

He was among a number of MPs to quiz Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

Mr Austin, a long term critic of the Putin regime, also reiterated his call made in the Express & Star for the Government to consider withdrawing the England team from this summer's World Cup over safety fears for players and fans.

Accusing Mr Johnson of not taking Russia seriously enough, Mr Austin said: "Nothing you have said is going to have boots quaking in the Kremlin.

"It is about time our Government woke up to the fact that we are not dealing with a democratic leader. Putin is an unreconstructed KGB thug."

Questioned over safety issues at the World Cup, Mr Johnson said there was 'no cause for a boycott' as it would be wrong to punish English fans or the team.

But he said: "We can see the risks and across Government we are considering what further steps we need to take to get the Russians to guarantee the safety of our fans."

Mr Austin urged Mr Johnson to tell the National Crime Agency to take a 'much more urgent' approach to tackling people bringing money to the UK from Russia.

He said he hoped Mr Johnson had 'got the message' from the committee that it wants tougher action against corrupt Russian money in the UK.

"I really think we have got to wake up to this and take it much more seriously," he added.