The former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has suggested there is a strong case for the Russian Orthodox Church to be expelled from the World Council of Churches.

Speaking in this morning’s BBC’s Radio 4 Program, Mr Williams also expressed many other Orthodox churches would probably take the same view point.

Mr Williams said: "When churches are actively supporting the war of aggression, failing to condemn nakedly obvious breaches in any kind of ethical conduct in wartime

"Then other churches do have the right to raise the question."

“I think there is a strong case for expulsion, because we have seen those signs.

“The Russian hierarchy have a willingness even to ask for a ceasefire and that's the minimum, I would hope to see.

“There could just be a sense that the Orthodox leadership would press for a ceasefire, an effective and credible ceasefire, that would be something that will be the basis on which conversation could start.”

“I have a suspicion that at least some other Orthodox churches would take the same view because I know that there are many people in the Orthodox world who feel that orthodoxy itself is compromised by this, who feel almost ashamed to be associated and I would want to listen very carefully to what other Orthodox churches have to say.”

Mr. Williams also had a stern message for Patriarch Krill, he said: "Your own flock are being killed in Ukraine, by other members of your own flock.

"It is your responsibility to condemn the killing of your own flock, for who you are answering to Jesus Christ."