Disbelief at opportunism that united House in disgust

JEREMY CORBYN had just been told by the Prime Minister that Russia was “highly likely” to have carried out the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury. The two had been poisoned with “a militarygrade nerve agent of a type developed by Russia”.

Yet, in his response, the Labour leader did not criticise the Kremlin. He did not even mention Vladimir Putin.

Instead, he warned Theresa May not to “let tensions get worse” (as if they were somehow her fault) by “cutting off contact” with Moscow. And then he attacked the Tories. “Mr Speaker, we’re all familiar with the way huge fortunes, often acquired via the most dubious circumstances in Russia, have ended up trying to buy political influence in British party politics,” growled Mr Corbyn. “There has been over £800,000 worth of donations to the Conservative party from Russian oligarchs and their associates!”

There was a moment of silent disbelief. The Prime Minister had just solemnly updated the Commons about attempted murder on British soil by, in all likelihood, a foreign enemy. But, far from setting aside party differences in the name of unity, the Leader of the Opposition was seizing the opportunity to score points against his political opponents. To judge from his manner, he sounded more worked up about his political opponents than he did about the attempted murder.

‘He sounded more worked up about his political opponents than he did about the attempted murder’

The disbelieving silence was soon replaced by disbelieving anger.

“Shame!” shouted Tory MPS. “Disgraceful!” Glares blazed. Amid the din, an unidentified Tory MP could be heard barracking Mr Corbyn about Russia Today. If Mr Corbyn was so concerned about “political influence in British party politics”, why had he been so happy in the past to appear on a Kremlin propaganda channel? Some rows behind Mr Corbyn, Mike Gapes, the Labour MP for Ilforth South, could be seen wearily shaking his head.

Calmly, Mrs May asked Mr Corbyn not to “tar everyone of Russian extraction with the same brush”. She left it at that. But Mr Corbyn’s MPS didn’t. Several of them rebuked their own leader in the coldest terms. “It would put our national security at risk,” said John Woodcock (Lab, Barrow & Furness), through gritted teeth, “if [Britain] were led by anyone who did not understand the gravity of the threat which Russia poses to the nation”. This earned him a roar of indignant approval.

“There are circumstances in which we take party-political differences of opinion,” sniffed Chris Leslie (Lab, Nottingham East). “But when our country is under attack, that is just not appropriate.” Another angry cheer.

“Does the PM agree,” asked Phil Wilson (Lab, Sedgefield), “that there is no place for honourable members to appear on Russia Today? It is a propaganda mouthpiece for the Russian state.” This prompted a full-throated “hear, hear”.

Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn sat with his chin on his hand, silently smouldering. A great leader, chastised by his own side! This would never happen in Russia.