Scientists in UK refuse to blame Russia for the nerve agent attack
Sergei Skripal home
You have to assume every action finds its counter-action – that is the way it is
YURY FILATOV
BRITISH Government scientists last night refused to blame Russia for the Novichok spy poisoning.
The boss of the Porton Down lab which analysed the “extremely toxic substance” stopped short of pinning responsibility on Moscow.
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory chief Gary Aitkenhead told Sky News: “We, in terms of our role, were able to identify it as Novichok, to identify it was a military grade nerve agent.
“We have not verified the precise source, but we have provided the scientific information to the Government who have used a number of other sources to piece together the conclusions they’ve come to.
EVIDENCE
“It’s our job to provide the scientific evidence that identifies what the particular nerve agent is.
“We identified it was from this family and that it’s a military-grade nerve agent. It’s not our job to say where that was manufactured.”
The admission partially vindicates Jeremy Corbyn’s reluctance to blame Russia for the targeting of a former KGB double agent.
The Labour leader triggered anger by claiming the Kremlin may have only been indirectly responsible for the attack by losing control of the chemical weapon.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a thorough investigation into the poisoning during a visit to Turkey where he said “the speed at which the anti-russian campaign has been launched causes bewilderment”.
He added he hoped a line could be drawn under the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal at a meeting of the global chemical weapons watchdog today.
RUSSIAN EMBASSY YESTERDAY