What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A Tory MP tonight became embroiled in the scandal around Russian meddling in foreign politics as it emerged he had held a secretive meeting with a key Donald Trump aide in London.

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski, branded a “Putin apologist” by fellow MPs, can today be named as the second Tory MP who met with former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon in November.

Bannon also met with Jacob Rees Mogg and Nigel Farage during his visit to London.

It emerged tonight that Bannon had brought in lawyers to prepare to face investigators looking into the Trump campaign’s alleged ties to the Kremlin.

(Image: Getty Images North America)

Kawczynski has gained a reputation for defending Russia in the Commons, and speaking in flattering terms about Vladimir Putin.

He complained that Putin is treated like a “pantomime villain” by British MPs, and last year said Trump’s approach to relations with Russia had secured his path to the Oval Office.

And he has been a frequent guest on Russian state media, calling for a closer relationship between Britain and Russia.

(Image: AFP) (Image: REUTERS)

A source familiar with the secret London meeting said Bannon and Kawczynski discussed Brexit .

Steve Bannon was Donald Trump’s chief strategist for the early months of his presidency and was the campaign manager credited with turning his run for the White House from a fiasco into a success.

He left the White House in August, but was understood to have retained the President’s ear after his departure.

But Bannon had a very public falling out with the President last week over comments he made to journalist Michael Wolff in Fire and Fury, his book about the Trump White House.

Labour’s Chris Bryant, who chairs the the All Party Parliamentary Group on Russia, said: “It’s clear that the Tories’ links with the Trumpite right are far closer than anyone has owned up to so far.”

And Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said: “I’m not surprised Mr Kawczynski also met Bannon.

“Mr Kawczynski is one of Parliament’s most vocal apologists for President Putin and the links between the Kremlin and the far right in Britain and America are well known.

“I hope the American investigation will expose the reason for these meetings, but it’s embarrassing we’re leaving it to them to get to the facts.”

(Image: PA) (Image: AFP)

The Mirror approached Mr Kawczynski for comment but he had not responded at the time of publication.

It comes as a US Senate report published on Wednesday outlined details of Russian attempts to influence foreign elections and undermine Western democracies.

The document cites the Kremlin’s attempts to influence the US election, the Brexit referendum and reveals loopholes in UK campaign finance laws which could allow Russian money to flood into British politics.