As sanctions are ramped up in the fury of the war in Ukraine, an unexpected name has appeared in the list of those banned from entering Russia – former Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies.

Mr Davies is among 287 members of the House of Commons to have been banned from entering Russia by the Kremlin.

“Good God, I can’t believe it," the Welsh Conservative chairman told the County Times when informed of the measures against him.

“I don’t know why I’m on the list but I’m guilty as charged if it’s to do with the appalling invasion, which I don’t agree with. It does show the randomness of the messaging coming out of Russia.

“The Russian Government and Putin have behaved utterly appallingly. I can understand why they picked me.

“I have never been to Russia and I have no plans to go but I’m sort of tempted to test the theory out.”

On February 26, the third day of Russian's invasion of Ukraine, Mr Davies described President Vladimir Putin as a "mass murderer that is the dictator currently governing Russia is an evil man".

Mr Davies is no longer a MP, but was most recently the Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire, and left the Commons in November 2019 after nine years.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, whose constituency includes Bishop's Castle, is also on the sanctions list, but current Powys MPs Craig Williams and Fay Jones are not.

The Kremlin is sanctioning British MPs in retaliation against the UK’s action over the Ukrainian invasion, according to a statement from the Russian foreign ministry.

Boris Johnson told MPs reportedly sanctioned by Russia to “regard it as a badge of honour”.

A translation of a statement reported by the state-owned Russian news agency RIA Novosti read: “In response to the decision taken on March 11 this year by the British government to include 386 deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on the sanctions list, on the basis of reciprocity, personal restrictions are being introduced against 287 members of the House of Commons of the British Parliament.

“These persons, who are now banned from entering the Russian Federation, took the most active part in the establishment of anti-Russian sanctions instruments in London, contribute to the groundless whipping up of Russophobic hysteria in the UK.

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

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he was “alarmed” by reports of the sanctions.

Sir Lindsay said: “I am of course alarmed to hear what is reported to the chamber. Rather than give a kneejerk reaction now, I’m sure the Government will rapidly be assessing the implications of this move. I am therefore asking the Government to keep me and the House authorities briefed on this very important issue.”

He said he would ensure MPs are “kept informed as appropriate”.