Russian researcher’s deadly nerve agent link

A former Soviet research team member who created nerve agents says he was probably behind the substance used to attack the former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Vladimir Uglev told the Financial Times that in 1975 he was responsible for developing a compound that he believed was used to attack the pair in Salisbury, England, last month. The victims remain in hospital, where they are recovering and off the critical list. Mr Uglev backed the British government in blaming Moscow for the attack and starting a worldwide expulsion of diplomats in response.

Moscow denies involvement in the attack, claiming it has explanations for who was responsible.

“As a Russian citizen, I do not accept the great-power chauvinism fanned by the regime of Kremlin-Lubyanka thieves and killers, and therefore fully understand and support the policy of the British government towards Russia,” Mr Uglev said.

Experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons are conducting their own tests on the substance.

But Mr Uglev said they would be unlikely to secure absolute proof of Russian involvement.

Moscow last week seized on remarks by the head of the British research establishment carrying out tests that it could not definitively pinpoint Russia as the source.

The UK said it had relied on other sources of information to attribute blame.