LONDON, Mar 06 (BBC): The UK would respond "robustly" to any evidence of Russian involvement in the collapse of former spy Sergei Skripal, Boris Johnson has said.
Mr Skripal (66) and his daughter Yulia, in her 30s, are critically ill in hospital after being found unconscious in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
The foreign secretary said he was not pointing fingers at this stage, but described Russia as "a malign and disruptive force".
Russia has denied any involvement. Mr Skripal - a former Russian agent convicted of spying for Britain - and his daughter were found slumped on a bench outside a shopping centre on Sunday afternoon. Earlier they were seen walking through an alley leading from a Zizzi restaurant, which has now been "secured" by police. UK police are trying to identify what "unknown substance" harmed the pair. Mr Johnson told MPs: "Honourable members will note the echoes of the death of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006.
"And while it would be wrong to prejudge the investigation, I can reassure the House that should evidence emerge that implies state responsibility, then Her Majesty's Government will respond appropriately and robustly...
"I say to governments around the world that no attempt to take innocent life on UK soil will go unsanctioned or unpunished."
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
