‘Baggage checks should have been better’

THE nerve agent used to attack the Skripals might have been found if enhanced baggage checks had been in place, ministers said yesterday.

Security minister Ben Wallace said checks ‘weren’t probably as good as they might be’ as the two Russian would-be assassins passed through Gatwick.

Speaking at a Parliamentary debate on the Salisbury attack in March, he added: ‘When a hostile state is determined to try and use its full resources to penetrate another state, the challenge is much greater.

‘The logistical support of that state in assisting its agents is significant and that means for example that these two individuals travelled on a genuine Russian passport.’

Mr Wallace said there was ‘some form of attempt’ to create back stories for the pair aimed at ‘circumventing our checks’.

But he added: ‘I should think the baggage checks weren’t probably as good as they might be.’

The minister was asked if the Government would consider expelling more Russian diplomats. He said: ‘We will keep all options on the table. For now we are working on a number of measures to push back Russia’s activities.’