Defence Tory: It’s chilly but not Cold War
THE Defence Secretary called relations with Russia “exceptionally, exceptionally chilly” but denied there was a new Cold War.
Gavin Williamson said: “Let’s face it, relations ain’t good, are they?” at a Policy Exchange think-tank event for defence experts.
He accused Vladimir Putin of hiding the scale of his role in Syria and linked him to the feared paramilitary Wagner group’s actions there, the first such accusation by a UK minister.
But he was mocked for saying Russia should “go away and shut up” over the expulsion of diplomats.
Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner sarcastically called him “intrepid”. Labour MP Chuka Umunna said it was not a “thoughtful response”, the “tone and content wrong” and he should show “he has a grip”.