Global support proof Britain still has international clout

BRITAIN’s lonely Prime Minister has found some friends.

The mass expulsion of Russian diplomats by our allies in America, Canada and Europe is a welcome show of solidarity for our country.

Many feared the UK would cut an isolated figure as we axe ties with the EU and wrestle with Donald Trump’s America First tub-thumping.

This support shows we still have some clout in international relations.

One of the theories behind the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia is the Kremlin was testing Britain’s resolve as we approach Brexit.

If so, Moscow has found us to be more resilient and less adrift than VICTIMS Skripal suspected. It is Vladimir and daughter Yulia Putin who is the international pariah, not the UK.

Russia’s modus operandi has been to foment discord and undermine democracies through propaganda, cyber attacks and support for populist movements. These democracies have now responded to this new phase of aggression with history’s largest collective expulsion of intelligence officers. It is mainly symbolic. In America’s case, it was a useful way for Trump to fend off claims he has been compromised by the Kremlin. Less than a week ago he congratulated Putin on his election victory. Whatever his motives, the hard line against Russia is a significant shift. The president will have helped restore faith in the transatlantic alliance. And the UK can take comfort its role as the bridge between Europe and America is not yet redundant.