May ‘to blame Russia over poison spy today’

UK intelligence chiefs to present key evidence in crunch meeting

THERESA May is expected to point the finger at the Kremlin for the poisoning of double-agent Sergei Skripal and unveil a package of tough sanctions as early as today.

She will chair a meeting of the National Security Council where she will be updated on the investigation into the attempted nerve agent assassination of the former Russian spy.

Counter-terrorism police and intelligence officers are understood to be preparing to present evidence that Moscow ordered the hit in Salisbury over a week ago.

This will include evidence that the nerve agent used to poison Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia had to have been developed in a Russian laboratory, along with other high-value intelligence.

Whitehall sources said work was continuing ongoing but agencies expected fresh hard proof to come to light overnight.

The PM will then decide whether the evidence proves beyond doubt that Vladimir Putin’s government was behind the attack before deciding on Britain’s response from a list drawn up by officials. Mrs May could then give a robust statement to the House of Commons putting the blame at Russia’s door. On another dramatic day yesterday:

Public Health England suddenly warned members of the public in Salisbury to wash their clothing and possessions – seven days after Mr Skripal fell ill.

Traces of the nerve agent were found on the table at the Zizzi restaurant where Mr Skripal and his daughter ate.

Three Cabinet ministers were privately pushing the PM to respond with ‘ tough action’ after claims Britain’s response to the 2006 murder of Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko had not been enough.

Mr Putin said in a Russian TV interview that he could forgive, ‘but not everything’. Asked what, he responded: ‘Betrayal.’

Ministers, spy chiefs, police and the head of the military will today hold talks on the progress made in the investigation.

Military scientists at the Porton Down research unit expect to be able to say that beyond doubt the rare nerve toxin was devised in a laboratory in Moscow.

It is believed the PM will seek opinion from Foreign Office officials and Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach on the appropriate response if the evidence proves conclusive.

Security sources said: ‘It will be up to the Prime Minister to decide what to do with the evidence she is presented with.’

Possibilities include ‘full spectrum’ retaliation across diplomatic, economic and military fronts such as the immediate expulsion of senior Russian diplomats and spies, potentially cancelling Kremlinlinked oligarchs’ visas, and asset freezes and travel bans.

The Government is also expected to meet MPs ‘half way’ on implementing a British version of the US’s ‘Magnitsky Act’ which lists Russians involved in corruption and human rights abuses who are banned from entering America.

Senior Whitehall sources said the Government could also plan long-term consequences such as boosting Britain’s military deployments in eastern Europe.

Further options include covert consequences for Moscow that will never be revealed such as an offensive cyber-attack.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd are said to have told the PM she must respond with tough action. A Whitehall source told the Mail: ‘There is a chorus in Cabinet that there needs to be tough action and fast.’

Marina Litvinenko, whose husband Alexander died in London after being poisoned, said the Government had promised her such a crime would not be repeated. ‘Unfortunately, it happened again. It means something was not done’, she said.

‘Putin cannot forgive betrayal’