Moscow ‘must answer’ as weapons watchdog backs UK

BORIS JOHNSON demanded answers from Russia after an international watchdog confirmed Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with a “high purity” strain of the Novichok nerve agent.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) backed British findings that a military-grade nerve agent had been used in the poisoning of the Skripals in Salisbury. It represents a significant boost to Theresa May, who has said that Russia was directly responsible for the attack.

Mr Johnson said that only Russia had the “means, motive and record” to have carried out the attack.

He said: “There can be no doubt what was used and there remains no alternative explanation about who was responsible. We will now work tirelessly with our partners to help stamp out the grotesque use of weapons of this kind. The Kremlin must give answers. We must, as a world community, stand up for the rules-based order which keeps us all safe. The use of weapons of this kind can never be justified, and must be ended.”

The OPCW conducted tests on blood samples from the Skripals and Det Sgt Nick Bailey, who was poisoned after going to their aid, and an analysis of samples found in Salisbury.

Its report stated: “The results of analysis of biomedical samples ... demonstrate the exposure of the three hospitalised individuals to this toxic chemical. The results of the analysis of environmental and biomedical samples collected by the OPCW team confirm the findings of the United Kingdom relating to the identity of the toxic chemical that was used in Salisbury...”

The watchdog noted that the toxic chemical was of “high purity” with a “complete absence of all impurities”.

Britain has now called a session of the executive council of the OPCW next week to “discuss next steps”.

Mr Johnson said that Britain had asked the OPCW to publish its findings because “unlike the Russians, we have nothing to hide”.

♦ Jeremy Corbyn yesterday faced repeated questions from a sixth former over his refusal to blame Vladimir Putin for the Salisbury attack. Unsatisfied with the Labour leader’s answers, the student, from Littleover Community School in Derby, asked: “You don’t think it’s Putin?”.

Mr Corbyn responded: “I don’t say it is or isn’t. I say an investigation must take place so the finger of blame can be pointed with evidence behind it.”