Fighting a new Cold War

IN THE wake of the poison attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal, Public Health England has warned anyone who was in the pub or restaurant that the duo visited on the night in question to wash their clothes and possessions. What on earth has taken them so long? That attack took place over a week ago: why is it only now that fellow customers have been warned that they might be at risk?

There is a growing sense that with the exception of the police – and let it not be forgotten that one brave officer is still seriously ill – the authorities have been extremely slow to act.

It is only very recently that the military has become involved. Why, when the nature of the attack became obvious, were they not called in at once? The Cold War has clearly restarted. It’s time we began taking these cases as seriously as they deserve.