A minister has condemned Diane Abbott for claiming the threat from Russia is 'Nato fiction'.
Anna Turley said she 'completely disagreed' with the veteran Labour MP, insisting the Government 'steadfastly' supports Ukraine.
However, Ms Abbott looks set to escape disciplinary action from the party over the controversial remarks.
A storm erupted yesterday when Ms Abbott wrote on social media that 'the imminent threat from Russia is a Nato fiction to justify their complete capitulation to Trump's demands for more military spending'.
She added that 'the increase should not go ahead' in reference to Government aims to boost defence spending.
Ms Abbott's remarks came despite Vladimir Putin issuing his clearest hint yet that Russia would attack Britain for supplying arms to Ukraine.
A minister has condemned Diane Abbott for claiming the threat from Russia is 'Nato fiction'
A storm erupted yesterday when Ms Abbott wrote on social media that 'the imminent threat from Russia is a Nato fiction to justify their complete capitulation to Trump's demands for more military spending'
Asked whether he would strike British military facilities, the Russian leader said: 'That's a secret. A military secret.'
The German government declared on Tuesday that a drone attack on Leipzig airport had emanated from Russia.
Russia was previously found to be behind the 2018 Salisbury nerve agent outrage, and the 2006 murder of Alexander Litvinenko in London.
During a round of broadcast interviews this morning, Ms Turley said: 'I completely disagree with Diane Abbott, I'm afraid. I think she's wrong on this.
'We've been very clear in our commitment to Ukraine. The Prime Minister has met President Zelensky and avowed our support for their nation in a steadfast way, as we have been as a Labour Government and cross-party on this issue as well.
'So, I'm afraid I fundamentally disagree with Diane Abbott on that. We stand wholeheartedly behind Ukraine in this country.'
Despite the backlash, Labour sources suggested there was no prospect of Ms Abbott facing disciplinary action.
Pressed on whether Ms Abbott should lose the whip, Ms Turley said that would be a matter for the party's chief whip.
Asked about the post yesterday a spokesman for Andy Burnham replied: 'As the PM said yesterday, the UK stands in full solidarity with Germany following Russia's egregious and reckless attack in Leipzig.
'Our commitment to supporting Ukraine from Russia's illegal invasion is ironclad.'
Ms Abbott's latest intervention comes after she repeatedly questioned the West's support of Ukraine in recent months.
She described warnings of a future Russian invasion of Western countries in July as 'outlandish', and the month before criticised 'the Nato campaign against Russia'.
Writing in left-wing paper the Morning Star, she said: 'The reason there is such a hue and cry about military spending now is not because Russian forces are in Ukraine; that happened well over four years ago.
'No, the reason for the outlandish claims about an imminent Russian invasion is simply because Trump demanded more military spending from Nato members.'
She added: 'None of this is making us any safer. On the contrary. Russia is a major military power, but Nato is engaged in a war which is now striking deep into Russian territory, provoking widespread calls for retaliation against Nato countries.'
Ms Abbott's remarks came despite Vladimir Putin issuing his clearest hint yet that Russia would attack Britain for supplying arms to Ukraine
Ms Abbott was readmitted to the Labour Party in July, after a year-long suspension for repeating comments about racism for which she had previously apologised.
She had previously been suspended and investigated by the party over a letter to The Observer newspaper in 2023 in which she suggested that Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice, but not racism.
The long-serving MP was subsequently allowed back into the party in time to contest her seat at the 2024 general election.
Shadow defence minister and former soldier Ben Obese-Jecty accused Ms Abbott of 'wilfully playing the role of Putin's useful idiot' and being 'dangerously out of touch'.