THERE is "clear evidence" of direct Russian involvement in British elections, a Labour former minister has said.

Former Europe minister Chris Bryant also warned that many believed some of the highest level security decisions affecting the UK had now been compromised by Russian interference.

3 Former Europe Minister Labour Chris Bryant claimed that some of Britain's elections had been tampered with Credit: PA:Press Association

Making the claims, he said: "There is now clear evidence of Russian direct corrupt involvement in elections in France, in Germany, in the United States, and I would argue in this country.

"Many believe that some of the highest level decisions affecting security in the UK, and the US are now compromised by Russian infiltration."

He referenced the death of Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who died in prison in suspicious circumstances before being found guilty of tax evasion in a posthumous trial.

3 Russia has been implicated in interfering in elections and major decisions Credit: AP:Associated Press

Mr Bryant said: "The murder of Sergei and his posthumously being put on trial shows that Russia is a kleptocracy that is ruled by people who have stolen from the people and used every means to protect themselves and protect their positions… it is the politics of jealousy.

"It has also affected the United Kingdom."

Speaking in the debate on the Criminal Finances Bill in the Commons this afternoon, he added: "(It has also affected) one of our closest allies… Cyprus, where much Russian money is stored away and laundered illegally and we are unable to prosecute in some of the cases we are talking about.

"Authorities have failed… in relation to any of the assets… who were involved in the murder of Sergei and the corruption that he unveiled.

"In 11 other countries… 43 million dollars worth has been seized."

Fellow Labour former minister Ben Bradshaw has previously claimed it was "highly probable" Russia interfered in the EU referendum through cyber warfare, a claim the Government says there is no evidence for.

Mr Bryant repeated these concerns as MPs considered new powers to tackle money laundering, which many have seen as a crackdown on corrupt money flowing into the UK from Russia and other countries.

He said: "There is now clear evidence of Russian direct, corrupt involvement in elections in France, in Germany, in the United States of America, and I would argue also in this country.

"Many believe that some of the highest level decisions affecting security in the United Kingdom, in Germany, in France and in the United States of America are now compromised by Russian infiltration."

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Russia's Vladimir Putin reportedly ordered the 2016 US election to be hacked in an effort to boost Donald Trump's chances of winning.

Since then, Trump has been dogged by allegations of being in constant contact with Russia spies before the election.

Brits spies reportedly alerted the CIA to hacking after thwarting a similar attack targeting the 2015 general election, a report found.

Emmanuel Macron, the favourite to become the next French president, has also accused Russia and its state-owned media of using hacking and fake news to interfere with the French presidential race.

Both claims are rejected by the Kremlin.

3 Donald Trump has been dogged by allegations of being in constant contact with Russia spies before the election. Credit: Getty Images

Mr Bryant went on to criticise both British and US policy towards Russia in recent years.

He said: "My personal perception was that both David Cameron and President Obama were very reluctant to show a strong arm to Russia, because they thought by pressing the reset button, that was Obama's view, somehow or other you would manage to get major concessions out of Putin.

"I have to say, that has simply not proved to be an effective strategy.

"In every single regard, Putin has simply taken those moments as a sign of weakness and preceded to use force in greater degree."

It was recently claimed that Russia has a budget of £250million to launch attacks on the West.

In one instance, a luxury hotel was forced to cough up a random after Russian hackers locked guests out of their rooms.

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