British peacekeeping troops sent to Ukraine could face prosecution under human rights laws.

John Healey, the Defence Secretary, dismissed calls for a derogation from the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) despite fears UK soldiers could become targets of Russian “lawfare”.

He also confirmed in a letter, seen by The Telegraph, that the British contingent would not be a fighting force but rather provide training to the Ukrainians.

James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, had written to Mr Healey urging him to look at a derogation from the ECHR for peacekeeping troops.

He warned that Russia could use it to undermine UK forces, engineering clashes then pursuing human rights cases through the London courts.