Jeremy Corbyn attacks British troops by suggesting they are ‘ratcheting up tensions’ with Russia in eastern Europe

JEREMY CORBYN has attacked British troops’ deployment to Eastern Europe for “ratcheting up” tensions with Russia.

In comments that sparked fresh anger with among Labour MPs, his chief spokesman said today he had “concerns” the new NATO mission is only escalating the stand-off with Moscow.

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The spokesman also appeared to suggest that Mr Corbyn would not back a military response by NATO if the Russians invade Estonia – where UK troops are currently stationed.

Former Shadow Minister Michael Dugher slammed the PR man for “continuing to fight the Cold war for the wrong side”.

No.10 had earlier launched an outspoken attack on Vladimir Putin’s record in office. On Tuesday, Boris Johnson had separately accused Moscow of conducting “dirty tricks” against Britain and America.

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But Mr Corbyn’s spokesman said there were “serious issues on both sides”.

He added: “Jeremy has said repeatedly that he has lots of criticisms of the Russian government, both in relation to what has happened in the Middle East and domestically.

But what we don’t want to see is a ratcheting up of tensions between Russia and the West, as has been taking place."

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Asked specifically whether Mr Corbyn supported the Government’s decision to send 800 troops to Estonia as part of a Nato task force, he said: “Jeremy has expressed concerns about that being one of the escalations of tensions that have taken place.”

Just three months ago Mr Corbyn’s spokesman sparked outrage by saying that a focus on the civilian deaths caused by Russia in Syria was diverting “attention from other atrocities” in the war-torn country.

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Shadow Attorney General Shami Chakrabarti threatened to deepen the controversy around Labour by attacking the Government’s top law officer over Jihadi drone strikes.

Jeremy Wright on Tuesday said Britain had a right to take out extremists encouraging Brits to mount terror attacks via social media under established rules of self-defence.

But Ms Chakrabarti said law “cannot be updated by simply making speeches for expedience alone”.