David Cameron paid tribute yesterday to Soviet troops and civilians who helped defeat the nazis after a Tory MP called for their sacrifice to be remembered by Britain.

David Tredinnick recalled at Prime Minister’s questions how the British army freed 60,000 inmates from the Bergen Belsen concentration camp.

But, almost 70 years to the day since the Red Army liberated the Auschwitz death camp, the Bosworth MP added that Mr Cameron should recognise their effort.

“Does he also recall that our allies at the time, the Russians and the countries of the former Soviet Union, in their struggle to defeat nazi Germany, lost 40 million civilians and soldiers? Should we not pay them some tribute?” Mr Tredinnick asked.

Mr Cameron replied: “My honourable friend is absolutely right. We should pay tribute to all those who helped to defeat the evil of nazi Germany.”