HARWICH and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin has told the Government they should realise “we are are in a hybrid war” against Russia.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week agreed with other world leaders to present a “united front” against Russian threats towards Ukraine.

He had called on Russia to de-escalate tensions and reaffirmed their staunch support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Sir Bernard said: “We have a crisis in the Balkans, we have Russia spiking our gas supplies, we have Russia creating the migration crisis in Belarus, we have Russia on aggressive military manoeuvres around Europe with their massively renewed military hardware.

“When is the Government going to take on board the fact we are in a hybrid war against Russia now, and that there needs to be a comprehensive and united Western response whilst at the moment Nato is weak and divided?”

Foreign Office minister Vicky Ford replied: “We have been very, very clear about the threat that Russia poses not only to our own security but to that of our allies as well.

"This is precisely why the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister have been working so closely with our friends and allies.”