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Britain not granting legal access to Russian citizens in Skripal case – Moscow’s ambassador to UK ‘Don’t take the words of the British for granted’ – Russian envoy to UK on Skripal case
(about 1 hour later)
The Russian Ambassador to London says Britain has been “denying consular access for the embassy to Russian citizens” by refusing to release information on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. When it comes to allegations against Russia, the UK government cannot be trusted, so other nations would be wise to demand proof, Russia’s ambassador in London said, commenting on the Skripal poisoning saga.
At a news conference at the Russian embassy in London, Alexander Yakovenko also said Moscow strongly protests “evidence free accusations and provocations by the British authorities" “Don’t take the words of the British for granted,” Alexander Yakovenko told journalists during a press conference at the Russian Embassy when asked what his advice to European nations would be on the unfolding UK-Russian conflict. “I am quoting Ronald Reagan: trust but verify.”
Moscow has received “no updates” on the condition of both the former agent and his daughter. The ambassador spoke to the media on Thursday to denounce what he called a “hysterical anti-Russian campaign” conducted by the British government and media outlets over the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and two other people, his daughter Yulia and a police officer, in Salisbury. Prime Minister Theresa May accused the Kremlin of ordering a chemical weapon attack against the man and has been rallying Britain’s allies against Moscow.
Yakovenko said: “Britain has without any evidence accused Russia of the poisoning of three people, and has refused to cooperate.” The ambassador also said he was getting more information from the British press than the Government, despite accusations of a chemical weapon attack on British soil. Yakovenko accused Britain of fanning up anti-Russian sentiment at home and in other nations by deliberately misrepresenting facts about the case in a way that points the finger at Russia. At the same time, Britain has been stonewalling Russia’s attempts to engage with the probe through the proper channel – the Organization for the Prohibition of the Chemical Weapons (OPCW), he said. The “British side is deliberately ignoring our requests and avoids contact with the embassy.”
He insisted the Russians are being accused but ignored. He said the “British side is deliberately ignoring our requests and avoids contact with the embassy.” The Russian ambassador said OPCW inspectors have finally arrived in Britain to do their part in the investigation of the incident. While Russia does not know the scope of their mandate, Yakovenko said Moscow hopes they will be able to provide answers which Russia has failed to receive from Britain.
He said: “The burden of proof lies within the British authorities. By now, no facts have been presented either to the OPCW, or us, or to the UK partners or to the public. We cannot take British words for granted. “How that was possible that the British authorities managed to designate the nerve agent use as so-called Novichok [A-234] and its origin so quickly? Could it mean that it’s ‘highly likely’ that the British authorities already had this nerve agent in their chemical laboratory in Porton Down, which is the largest secret military facility in the UK that has been dealing with chemical weapons? Is it a coincidence that this chemical weapons facility is only eight miles away from the site of the incident? How did doctors decide what antidotes to administer to the victims?” he asked.
“The UK has a bad record of violating international law and misleading the international community. We demand full transparency of the investigation and full co-operation with Russia.” He added that Russian experts familiar with chemical weapons were “puzzled” by the speed in identifying the toxic compound. This contradicts statements by Scotland Yard that the investigation of the Skripal case would take weeks or even months, the ambassador said.
Yakovenko revealed he was summoned to see Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on March 12 – where he was given a “24-hour” ultimatum. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
Johnson called the agent used by its chemical name A234, Yakovenko said. However, when Theresa May spoke to the public, this changed.
He said: “The question was put this way: Either the incident was a direct act of the Russian government against the UK or the Russian government has lost control of a nerve agent.
“In the next hour, Prime Minister May updated the House of Commons using the same words, except she introduced the term Novichok.”
He called this an attempt to “artificially link the incident Russia”.