Britain’s nuclear deterrent has value in the face of Russian bullying
SIR – Russia’s responses following the chemical weapon attack in Salisbury have been entirely predictable and were designed to play primarily to a domestic audience.
Vladimir Putin’s mention of Russia’s new nuclear weapons, made a few weeks ago and now again, is also designed to unsettle Western nations’ electorates.
Perhaps it is time for Theresa May, the Prime Minister, to remind the country – and Jeremy Corbyn – that this is why we have a strategic nuclear deterrent, with its all important second strike capability. Russia of course knows this. William Wilson
London SW3
SIR – Recent events have provided more evidence that the world’s sporting bodies have put the cart before the horse.
Countries should be granted the right to host or participate in major sporting events as a reward for respecting human rights and abiding by the rule of law – not in a misguided hope it will encourage them to do so.
China continues to oppress opposition voices and Russia continues to outrage world opinion by its actions on the world stage, yet both have hosted the Olympics, and Russia will soon welcome the football World Cup.
This allows these oppressive regimes to bask in the glory of perceived approval, while sport is tarnished by association. Shaun Whyte
Alnmouth, Northumberland
SIR – Is sending home 23 diplomats a robust response? From its actions Russia clearly does not care two figs how many diplomats are sent home. Gordon Brennan
Thorpe Bay, Essex
SIR – At Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons, Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, asked: “How has she [the Prime Minister] responded to the Russian government’s request for a sample of the agent used in the Salisbury attack to run its own tests?”
If the Government agreed to this absurd request, does Mr Corbyn think the Russians will say: “Oh yes, it’s ours. Sorry about that”? David Miller
Chigwell, Essex
SIR – There has been much talk of military-grade nerve agent. What other grades are there and how else can they be used?
Sqn Ldr T J W Leyland (retd) London WC2
SIR – What if it wasn’t Russia? Kate Graeme-cook Brixham, Devon
SIR – If Mr Putin had immediately offered to help Britain find the perpetrators of the poisoning in Salisbury I would, perhaps, have been more convinced that Russia did not have a part in this sorry affair. Ken Harris
Southwold, Suffolk