Hain accuses Putin of ‘huge attacks’ on democracy

RELATIONS between Tony Blair and Vladimir Putin came under strain yesterday when a leading British Cabinet minister criticised the Russian leader’s “huge attacks” on liberty and democracy.

Peter Hain, the outspoken Northern Ireland Secretary, indicated that relations with Moscow had hit a low as he exhorted President Putin to return to democratic processes.

His remarks did not appear to be sanctioned by Downing Street, which maintained a diplomatic silence last night while Scotland Yard investigated the death of a former KGB agent in London.