UK expels 23 Russian diplomats over spy poisoning – Politics live

Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs and May’s Commons statement announcing retaliation against Russia after the Russian spy attackMay’s statement on Russia – Key quotes in full 2.04pm GMT Corbyn’s spokesman has been briefing journalists. According to lobby correspondents at the briefing, the spokesman made it clear that Corbyn does not accept the government’s claim that the Russian government was definitely to blame for the Salisbury attack.Asked why Corbyn did not explicitly condemn Russia, his spokesman says: “Clearly whoever carried out the attack is responsible for what was a completely heinous and reckless act.”Big development. Corbyn spksman suggests that Corbyn wants evidence before apportionment of culpability to Russia state. Adds UK has ” history” of weapons of mass destruction intelligence not being accurate.It gets worse. Corbyn’s spokesman clarifies he does not believe there is proof yet that Russia is responsible for #Salisbury – and MI5/MI6 may be wrong: “There is a history between WMDs and intelligence which is problematic, to put it mildly”. 2.00pm GMT Carwyn Jones, the Labour Welsh first minister, has tweeted his support for what May said. Jones seems to be distancing himself from Corbyn’s response to the May statement.Fully support the @10DowningStreet statement and proposed actions today. Appalling acts like these cannot be tolerated. A robust and proportionate response is the right call Continue reading…
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