Boris Johnson has accused Vladimir Putin of committing “a war crime” as he spoke during a session of PMQs preceded by a standing ovation for Ukraine’s ambassador, writes Sky News.

“What we have seen already from Vladimir Putin’s regime - in the use of munitions they have already been dropping on innocent civilians - in my view already fully qualifies as a war crime”, - Mr Johnson told the House of Commons.

“I know the ICC [International Criminal Court] prosecutor is already investigating and I’m sure the whole House will support that”.

The Foreign Office later confirmed the UK plus 37 ally nations have referred Russia to the ICC to investigate “war crimes in Ukraine”. It is the largest referral in the ICC"s history.

As the nations have grouped together, the ICC prosecutor will not need to get judicial approval to begin so they can start the investigation straight away.

Mr Johnson called Russia’s invasion “barbaric” and said all 38 countries are “crystal clear that Putin cannot commit these horrific acts with impunity”.