PROOF TOO WEAK TO NAIL PUTIN

Last week I called in this column for the strongest action against Russia IF it was proven to be responsible for the Salisbury attack.

The intelligence services believe Russia either did it or was culpable for not keeping the nerve agent safe. But the evidence is not nailed down. The joint statement from the UK, US, Germany and France only says it was “highly likely”. Russia hasn’t helped itself by refusing to engage with us. But having seen the less than conclusive evidence on Iraqi WMD, I know it’s vital to see proof before we start another Cold War.