Rank hypocrisy of Putin’s ‘useful idiots’

SO is there still a risk to public health from the nerve agent used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal – or not? With the mixed signals coming from the authorities, it’s impossible to tell.

If there isn’t, why did the chief medical officer warn that anyone who was in the same restaurant or pub as Mr Skripal last Sunday should wash their clothes and clean personal belongings with baby wipes?

And if there is a risk, why has it taken the authorities a week to issue this warning? Surely if this mysterious substance is dangerous, then speed is of the essence in mitigating its effects.

People are told not to panic, yet such confusing messages are guaranteed to instil exactly that reaction. If this was meant as an exercise in calming public concern, it’s been a fiasco.

Meanwhile, as the finger of blame for the attack points firmly towards Vladimir Putin, shadow chancellor John McDonnell announces that he won’t be making further appearances on Russia Today – the Kremlincontrolled television station.

Hilariously, he says this is because its coverage of the Skripal affair ‘goes beyond objective journalism’. What on earth did he expect?

Russia Today isn’t interested in objectivity. It’s Mr Putin’s propaganda mouthpiece and by appearing on it in the past, Mr McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn have acted as his ‘useful idiots’. Trying to distance themselves from it now is rank hypocrisy.

If Mr Putin’s involvement is proved, Downing Street must retaliate. Diplomats suspected of spying must be expelled, financial sanctions against oligarchs in London toughened and calls to revoke Russia Today’s broadcasting licence seriously considered.