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Diane Abbott has been dubbed “Putin’s useful idiot” after claiming the threat posed by Russia is a “NATO fiction” and calling for an increase in defence spending to be abandoned. The Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said the danger from Moscow had been exaggerated to justify increased military spending under pressure from US President Donald Trump.

Ms Abbott made the comments as NATO officials have repeatedly warned about provocations by Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin has been accused of attempting sabotage attacks across Europe. On Wednesday, she wrote on X: “The imminent threat from Russia is a NATO fiction to justify their complete capitulation to Trump’s demands for more military spending. The increase should not go ahead.”

Her remarks prompted a fierce response from Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative MP for Huntingdon and a retired Army officer.

Mr Obese-Jecty accused Ms Abbott of “wilfully playing the role of Putin’s useful idiot” and said her comments showed she was “dangerously out of touch”.

He said: “Over four years into the war in Ukraine, and with escalating sub-threshold activity, we are agreed that increasing defence spending is a matter of national security.”

He added: “It beggars belief that a senior Labour politician could be so naive.”

Philip Ingram, a former colonel in British military intelligence, also criticised the veteran MP.

Mr Ingram said Ms Abbott “lives in a fictional world” and questioned how she had become an MP, while accusing her of regurgitating disinformation.

The Telegraph reports that Ms Abbott’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over Russia’s activities across Europe.

Germany this week accused Moscow of being behind a foiled explosive drone attack in August at Leipzig/Halle airport.

The incident targeted a Ukrainian cargo plane and was condemned as an escalation of state-sponsored hybrid warfare on European soil.

The perceived threat has fuelled calls for the Government to increase defence spending.

Ms Abbott’s comments also come against a backdrop of controversy over her previous remarks about Russia and the war in Ukraine.

The veteran MP has repeatedly criticised British military backing for Kyiv and was previously accused of spreading pro-Putin propaganda.

She was suspended from Labour in 2023 and again in 2025 following rows over comments about racism and anti-Semitism.

She was subsequently brought back into the party in July, days after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.

Both Mr Burnham and his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, have warned about the security threat posed by Mr Putin.

Ms Abbott’s latest comments come only days after Russia threatened to attack British factories supplying Ukraine with drones.

A Russian foreign ministry spokesman warned that Britain was “playing with fire” by supporting Ukraine.

In a further escalation, Mr Putin threatened to seize British cargo ships in retaliation for British and Nato action against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.

Western intelligence officials have also warned that Moscow is conducting a sabotage campaign and that there is a risk of a Russian “miscalculation” leading to conflict.

Mr Burnham responded during a visit to Kyiv by saying Britain would continue supporting Ukraine despite Russia’s threats.

Meanwhile, the Government is facing scrutiny over its defence spending plans.

John Healey, the Chancellor, is expected to fail to commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030 in his first Budget in October.

The Treasury has confirmed the October Budget will ignore the 3% target, with a pathway to the figure instead due to be set out at the 2027 spending review.

Ms Abbott, the Labour Party and No. 10 have been approached for comment.