UPDATED: British Prosecutors: 2 Russian Nationals Identified as Novichok Suspects.

[Gavin78]

What I don't understand is why would the UK not comply to have the Russians also do their own investigation. be it a crock or not?

[Theodoric]

Now that we need friends in the world more than ever after the Russian nerve gas attack, I wonder if the hard Brexiteers will be keeping a discreet silence about us taking back total control of our destiny. Just a thought.

We can still have friends in the world without being chained to the EU.

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Gavin78

What I don't understand is why would the UK not comply to have the Russians also do their own investigation. be it a crock or not?

Because the UK is rightly sticking to the agreed treaties on chemical weapons and International law in that it is allowing the UN OPCW to conduct an independent investigation which will report back to the UN.

And even if Russia was given access, there would be denials, delays and further denials from them.

Originally Posted by Mick

And even if Russia was given access, there would be denials, delays and further denials from them.

Exactly. What's the point? No one will be able to see it and quite how the government know it's them is probably sensitive information .

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Mick

And even if Russia was given access, there would be denials, delays and further denials from them.

Conversely the Russians have representatives on the OPCW so would have access to the evidence.

[Gavin78]

Originally Posted by pip08456

Conversely the Russians have representatives on the OPCW so would have access to the evidence.

Right, see this is what I was thinking it was ok for the UK to accuse Russia but without hard evidence it was in fact actually them that has done it seemed a bit of an over reaction to expel diplomats before they have actually got the evidence it was 100% Russian involvement.

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by Theodoric

Now that we need friends in the world more than ever after the Russian nerve gas attack, I wonder if the hard Brexiteers will be keeping a discreet silence about us taking back total control of our destiny. Just a thought.

Oh God, does brexit have to permeate every issue? Jim Bowen, Ken Dodd and Stephen Hawking would still be alive if only we hadn't voted to Leave

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Gavin78

Right, see this is what I was thinking it was ok for the UK to accuse Russia but without hard evidence it was in fact actually them that has done it seemed a bit of an over reaction to expel diplomats before they have actually got the evidence it was 100% Russian involvement.

No-one is saying that hard evidence does not exist of Russian involvement or that the UK has over-reacted except Russia which is to be expected.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Gavin78

Right, see this is what I was thinking it was ok for the UK to accuse Russia but without hard evidence it was in fact actually them that has done it seemed a bit of an over reaction to expel diplomats before they have actually got the evidence it was 100% Russian involvement.

So you don't think that the fact that this nerve agent was made by Russia and is only available in Russia is evidence it Russia was responsible?

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck.

[heero_yuy]

Quote from OLD BOY:


So you don't think that the fact that this nerve agent was made by Russia and is only available in Russia is evidence it Russia was responsible?

I doubt whether Russia is the only country to have knowledge of this nerve gas and it's method of production. For Porton Down to be able to investigate it's properties and possible antidotes means that they must be able to manufacture small quantities for experimentation. Just saying.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck.

The most likely answer.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

So you don't think that the fact that this nerve agent was made by Russia and is only available in Russia is evidence it Russia was responsible?

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck.

The Russian response speaks volumes.

[heero_yuy]

Quote from Reuters:


In contrast to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President Donald Trump who assured May they were taking her government’s views seriously, President Emmanuel Macron and other French officials have declined to point a finger directly at Russia.

French government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said it was too early for Paris to decide whether action should be taken and a decisions would be made only once a case of Russian involvement was proven.

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian later expressed full confidence in the investigations being carried out by Britain, though he too was careful not to say directly that Russia was behind the attack.

Seems the French have some doubts.

[pip08456]

I stopped worrying about the French after Agincourt.