Chris Bryant claimed there is 'clear evidence' of direct Russian interference in British elections

There is 'clear evidence' of direct Russian interference in British elections, a former Labour minister has claimed.

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

Another Labour MP Ben Bradshaw was mocked for claiming it was 'highly probable' the Russian interfered with the Brexit vote via cyber warfare - something ministers say is unfounded.

But fears have grown over Russian funding of dubious news websites based in the UK but far outside the media mainstream.

Mr Bryant raised fears over Kremlin involvement 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.'

Donald Trump has been dogged by allegations of links between his senior team and Russia.

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.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has denied the Kremlin is seeking to influence Western elections

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 emerged last year that Putin was waging a propaganda war on the UK and the West using a news agency funded by the Kremlin.

Sputnik News, whose UK version operates from an Edinburgh office block, produces news from a pro-Moscow perspective.

In the immediate aftermath of the tragic Jo Cox murder, Sputnik ran a story describing her death as 'timely' for the remain campaign.