Andy Burnham faced a furious backlash over plans to invite Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in Manchester.
Government sources on Friday confirmed that the Russian tyrant will be invited to send a delegation next year despite the continuing war in Ukraine.
One insider admitted the decision was ‘deeply regrettable’, but insisted the Government had no choice as there was no consensus on expelling Russia from the G20.
Ministers do not believe Putin will attend in person for fear that the British courts will uphold an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
He is also accused
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