Chemical weapons watchdog confirms UK findings over nerve agent attack
▶ British Foreign Minister says there is ‘no doubt’ Russia was behind the attack, but Putin denies the claim
The international chemical weapons watchdog confirmed Britain’s scientific analysis of the nerve agent used in the attack on a former spy and his daughter.
Investigators confirmed “the findings of the United Kingdom relating to the identity of the toxic chemical” used in Salisbury, said the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in a statement. The report said the nerve agent was of high purity.
It did not identify a source but the British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, said that there could be no doubt that Russia was responsible for the attack.
“There can be no doubt what was used and there remains no alternative explanation about who was responsible – only Russia has the means, motive and record,” he said.
“In the interest of transparency, and because unlike the Russians we have nothing to hide, we have asked the OPCW to publish the executive summary and to circulate the full report to all state parties of the OPCW, including Russia.
“We will now work tirelessly with our partners to help stamp out the grotesque use of weapons of this kind and we have called a session of the OPCW Executive Council to discuss next steps. The Kremlin must give answers.”
Samples taken from three victims – Det Sgt Nick Bailey, Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia – confirmed the UK’s assessment, the OPCW said.
British officials last week said they were unable to identify the origin of the nerve agent but said Russia was the source of the attack because of other intelligence. They said Russia has been investigating ways of using nerve agents to carry out assassinations.
The admission was seized on by Russia, which suggested that the nerve agent could have come from the UK’s military research centre at Porton Down.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, claimed experts said such nerve agents could have been made in 20 countries.
More than 150 Russian diplomats have been expelled by 29 countries and from Nato after the British government convinced international allies that Russia carried out the attack.
The new findings came as Yulia Skripal said she did not wish to take up the offer of services from the Russian Embassy in London.
Ms Skripal said in a statement that her father remained seriously ill and that she was still suffering from the effects of the nerve agent used against them. Ms Skripal, 33, was discharged from hospital on Monday.