Russia: UK poisoned ex-spy to def lect from chaos of Brexit

RUSSIA says double agent Sergei Skripal was poisoned by Britain in a bid to keep the spotlight away from the ‘uncomfortable situation’ of Brexit.

Sergei Lavrov, Russian foreign minister, insisted there were ‘other explanations’ for the attack in Salisbury on the ex-spy and his daughter.

‘The experts... say it may well be beneficial for the British special services who are known for their ability to act with a licence to kill,’ he said.

‘It could be beneficial to the British government, which has found itself in an uncomfortable situation, unable to fulfil promises they made about Brexit.

‘It’s too obvious that our British colleagues are playing a game – we will insist on clarifying all facts and establishing the truth. There could be a whole number of reasons and none can be ruled out.’

Mr Lavrov accused Britain and the US of spreading ‘lies and disinformation’ about the poisoning of the Russian exspy in southern England, declaring that East-West tensions are worse now than during the Cold War.

Britain has blamed Russia for the March 4 nerve agent attack on former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.

Ireland has joined Britain and two dozen of its allies in sending home one of its diplomats, one of more than 150 Russian officials to be expelled. Moscow, which vehemently denies any involvement, has responded tit-for-tat.

Mr Lavrov denounced the British accusations yesterday as a ‘mad and horrible provocation’.

He argued that Russia had no motive to attack Skripal, who was released in 2010 spy swap from a Russian prison where he was serving time for spying for Britain. ‘If there were any gripes against the man, he wouldn’t have been swapped,’ said Mr Lavrov.

He also mocked Britain’s claim there was no plausible alternative explanation for the poisonings of the Skripals.