Labour MPs clash with Jeremy Corbyn after aide raises doubts over who is behind Sergei Skripal nerve agent attack

Chloe Chaplain15 March 2018
WEST END FINAL

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Jeremy Corbyn is facing a fierce backlash from Labour MPs after his spokesman raised doubts over Government intelligence concluding Russia was behind the poisoning of a former double agent.

The Labour leader was criticised by Conservatives and some of his own frontbench team over his response to the investigations.

And many hit out at comments made by his senior aide Seumas Milne - who said the UK had a “problematic” history with intelligence.

Theresa May slammed the comments as “outrageous” and a group of Labour backbenchers joined together to sign a motion saying they "unequivocally accept" the Russian state's responsibility for the attack that left Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia fighting for their lives.

Shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith also conceded that it would have been “easier for us” if the Labour leader had been clearer about his support for Mrs May’s plan to expel Russian diplomats.

She told the Daily Mirror that it was "quite clear" that, due to the nature of the chemical weapon used, it had been an "act of aggression", adding: "And that is why we are fully supporting the expulsion of 23 diplomats.”

After Mrs May announced her plans to the commons on Wednesday, Mr Corbyn responded to say that the UK’s response should be “guided by the rule of law” and “based on clear evidence”.

He then asked if Mrs May had responded to Russia’s request for a sample of the nerve agent.

Mr Corbyn added that it was a “matter of huge regret” that the UK’s diplomatic capacity “has been stripped back with cuts of, 25 per cent in the last five years” – comments which sparked roars of condemnation from the Conservative benches.

His aid Mr Milne later told reporters that the Government may have more information on the matter.

Russian spy 'poisoning': Sergei and Yulia Skripal are fighting for life in hospital
PA

"The Government has access to information and intelligence on this matter which others don't,” he said.

"However, also there is a history in relation to weapons of mass destruction and intelligence which is problematic, to put it mildly. So, I think the right approach is to seek the evidence to follow international treaties, particularly in relation to prohibitive chemical weapons."

He said the evidence pointed "overwhelmingly" to Russia being behind the attack, but added: "In the meantime I think it is essential we follow the evidence and what the evidence produces.”

Ms Griffith later assured reporters that senior Labour figures had been briefed by security services and said: "Looking back, perhaps it would have been easier for us if he had made it clear at the beginning of what he said, just how much we support the expulsion of the diplomats.

Her comments were supported by many Labour MPs but shadow home secretary Diane Abbott has said media reports of Jeremy Corbyn's comments are at odds with what the Labour leader said in Parliament.

Referring to shadow security minister Nick Thomas-Symonds's appearance on BBC Two's Newsnight, she tweeted: "So @NickTorfaenMP sets out what @jeremycorbyn ACTUALLY said in Parliament about Russian spy poisoning, as opposed to what media is claiming he said £SalisburyChemicalAttack"

But Mr Milne’s comments prompted Labour backbencher John Woodcock to table an Early Day Motion "unequivocally" accepting the "Russian state's culpability" for the attack, and supporting "fully" the statement made by Mrs May in the Commons.

The motion was swiftly signed by a number of prominent critics of Mr Corbyn, some of whom went public with their criticism of the leader's senior aide Seumas Milne.

Labour MP Anna Turley tweeted: "I'm afraid Seumas doesn't speak for my Labour or British values", while Chuka Umunna said: "Mr Milne's comments do not represent the views of the majority of our voters, members or MPs."

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