UK expels Russian diplomats over attack

UK expels Russian diplomats over spy poisoning

Theresa May says attack ‘represents an unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the United Kingdom.’

By ANNABELLE DICKSON

Theresa May on Wednesday expelled 23 Russian diplomats after the country failed to explain how a Russian-made nerve agent poisoned a former double agent and his daughter in the U.K.

The British prime minister set a deadline of midnight Tuesday for the Kremlin to explain how a Russian government-manufactured nerve agent came to be used in the attack against former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, southern England last week.

May said the diplomats were identified as “undeclared intelligence officers” and would have a week to leave the U.K.

“[The Russians] have provided no credible explanation that could suggest they lost control of their nerve agent,” May told MPs Wednesday. “No explanation as to how this agent came to be used in the United Kingdom; no explanation as to why Russia has an undeclared chemical weapons program in contravention of international law.”

The attack “represents an unlawful use of force by the Russian State against the United Kingdom,” she said, as she set out her plans for a “full and robust response.”

After demanding an explanation from Russia in the House of Commons on Monday, May could not afford not to act, though her options for retaliation are limited and many would damage the U.K. as well as Russia.

To inflict more meaningful pressure, the prime minister will need to rely on international allies. May welcomed expressions of support from NATO and across the European Union and beyond and told MPs the U.K. will push for a “robust international response” when the UN Security Council opens consultations in New York later Wednesday.

In a statement to the House of Commons, May said she would “deploy a range of tools from across the full breadth of our national security apparatus” — but said she could not share the details publicly for national security reasons.

New powers to detain those suspected of hostile state activity at the U.K. border — a power currently only permitted in relation to those suspected of terrorism — would also be sought, and new “counter espionage powers” considered, she said.

A planned reciprocal visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also been suspended, along with all other high-level contact between the U.K. and the Russian Federation, though May said the U.K. will continue to engage with the Russian regime.

No ministers or members of the Royal Family will attend the World Cup in Russia this summer, May said.

Private flights, customs and freight will also face increased checks.

The U.K.’s ability to impose sanctions in response to the violation of human rights would also be strengthened through the Sanctions Bill, May told MPs, as she urged cross-party support for her plans.

Plans to freeze Russian state assets wherever there is “evidence that they may be used to threaten the life or property of U.K. nationals or residents” and the use of “all the capabilities of U.K. law enforcement” against serious criminals and corrupt elites were also pledged.

May, who has spoken to U.S. President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron since Monday, said she had agreed to co-operate closely with the other nations and would speak to other allies and partners.

The U.K. will push for a “robust international response” at the UN Security Council in New York and has notified the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons about Russia’s use of this nerve agent, the prime minister told MPs.