Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Russia’s Comical Ali
MPS mock Putin ambassador’s claim that UK attacked Skripals
THE Russian ambassador to Britain was branded “Comical Ali” yesterday as he repeated claims that UK spooks tried to murder the Skripals.
Alexander Yakovenko told a cross-party group of MPS and peers Moscow believed UK secu- rity services attempted to poison double agent Sergei, 66, and daughter Yulia, 33, in Salisbury using nerve agent Novichok, to paint his nation in a bad light. MPS blasted the claim and accused the diplomat of “double speak”. And, in a reference to the Iraqi information minister during the 2003 Us-led invasion, Tory MP PROTESTERS clashed with police outside Downing Street yesterday as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Theresa May.
Critics have slammed the PM for hosting “one of the worst totalitarian leaders in the world” for trade and security talks in London.
Demonstrators chanted “Turkish state, fascist state” and waved banners branding Mr Erdogan a terrorist.
Pro-kurdish protesters raised concerns about Bob Seely warned the envoy: “People treat you as they treated Comical Ali in Iraq.”
The ambassador also revealed between 4,000 and 10,000 England fans were expected at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Asked if he could guarantee their safety, he chuckled and said: “Moscow is safer than New York.” alleged human rights abuses by Mr Erdogan’s government.
The Turkish leader, who has been accused of purging opponents, also met the Queen yesterday as part of his three-day visit. Mrs May said that the UK had “stood with the Turkish people” during the failed coup in 2016 and would “remain a true friend to Turkey”.
Asked why hundreds of Turkish journalists were incarcerated, Mr Erdogan said the figures were “wrong”.