BOTH Borders MPs have been banned from entering Russia after being accused of “whipping up Russophobic hysteria”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the 287 politicians on the list should see it as a “badge of honour”.

The move by the Kremlin is in retaliation after the UK sanctioned 386 Russian politicians last month.

Conservative MP John Lamont, who represents Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, said: “It is not every day that you are sanctioned by a foreign power. I agree with the Prime Minister that it should be seen as a badge of honour.

“One thing is for sure. It will certainly not stop me from speaking out against the horrific war crimes enacted by Putin and his army in Ukraine.

“As it turns out, I have never considered a holiday in Siberia, but it now appears the Kremlin will stop me from ever having the chance. What a shame!

“A very small price to pay for what I see is the duty of the UK Government and Parliament to do everything it can to support Ukraine against this illegal invasion.”

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David Mundell, Conservative representative for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, has welcomed being included on the list.

“If by speaking out against the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and by supporting the efforts of the Ukrainian people to defend their lives, homes and country I am to be targeted in this way, then it’s a badge of honour so far as I am concerned,” he said.

“There’s nothing ‘Russophobic’ about standing up to Putin, his illegal war and the death and destruction he is raining down on the peaceful people of Ukraine, and I am sure that, if they knew the truth of what was being done in their name, most ordinary Russians would be as horrified as we are at the actions of their government.

“These sanctions will do absolutely nothing to dissuade me from standing with the people of Ukraine in what is a fight for their very right to exist, and I am certain that will be a view shared by everyone locally too.”

A translation of the Russian foreign ministry statement reportedly said: “These persons, who are no longer allowed to enter the Russian Federation, took the most active part in the establishment of anti-Russian sanctions instruments in London, and contribute to the groundless whipping up of Russophobic hysteria in the UK.

“The hostile rhetoric and far-fetched accusations coming from the mouths of British parliamentarians not only condone the hostile course of London, aimed at demonizing our country and its international isolation, but are also used by opponents of mutually respectful dialogue with Russia to undermine the foundation of bilateral co-operation.”