Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin took a brave step towards owning up to Russia's error of judgement in World War Two, was the verdict of Denis MacShane, former Minister for Europe whose father was Polish.

Speaking at a reception in the Polish embassy in London to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II, MacShane, who was in Tony Blair's government until 2005 and is a Labour MP, commented on Putin's remarks at the international ceremony held today in Gdansk, Poland.

"Putin said the Molotov-Ribbentrop accord was a mistake. Let's take a moment to reflect that this is a big step for a Russian. It is a start. No country that lives a lie about its past can be honest about its future," he said.

The event was attended by community figureheads and veterans of the war. Radio ORLA was represented by director George Matlock.