May condemns attempt to ki*l a Russian spy with a nerve agent

May condemns attempt to *ill a Russian spy with a nerve agent

Theresa May today branded an attempt to *ill a Russian double agent with a nerve agent an 'appalling and reckless crime'.

The Prime Minister said she would do 'what is right' if it was proven the Kremlin was responsible for the attempt on Sergei Skripal's life.

Mrs May hinted at support for expelling the Russian ambassador if the case was proven.

She also said her thoughts were with Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, the police officer hospitalised after he responded to the incident in Salisbury city centre.

Mrs May said: 'The events of Sunday are a stark reminder, if ever one was needed, of the dangerous situations our emergency services face and the dedication and courage they display every day in order to keep us safe.'

Her new intervention came after the police confirmed a rare nerve agent was used in the attempted assassination in Salisbury on Sunday. 

Home Secretary Amber Rudd updated MPs on the latest steps in the investigation in the Commons today.

She said it was an 'outrageous crime' and using a nerve agent on British soil was a 'brazen and reckless act' that was 'attempted murder in the most cruel and reckless way'. 

The Home Secretary urged caution on speculation about who is responsible.

The Prime Minister told ITV News: 'First of all the police are still investigating, obviously, we need to let the police have the space and time to conduct their investigating so that we get the best possible evidence of what has happened in this particular case.

'Of course if action needs to be taken then the government will do that. We'll do that properly, at the right time, and on the basis on the best evidence.'

Asked if she would expel the ambassador, Mrs May said: 'We will do what is appropriate, we will do what is right, if it is proved to be the case that this is State sponsored.

'But let's give the police the time and space to actually conduct their investigation.'

Mrs May's spokesman said earlier: 'It's clear that this was an appalling and reckless crime and the public will rightly want those responsible to be held to account.' 

The spokesman added: 'The Prime Minister wishes to again send her personal thanks to the police and emergency services for their courage in responding to the attack, and thank the people of Salisbury for their help and support.'

In her Commons statement, Ms Rudd said she would not comment further on the nature of the nerve agent as it is a 'fast-paced criminal investigation'.

Addressing speculation on who was responsible for 'this most outrageous crime', Ms Rudd added: 'The use of a nerve agent on UK soil is a brazen and reckless act. This was attempted murder in the most cruel and public way. People are right to want to know who to hold to account.

'But if we are to be rigorous in this investigation, we must avoid speculation and allow the police to carry on their investigation.

'We are committed to doing all we can to bring the perpetrators to justice, whoever they are and wherever they may be.

'The investigation is moving at pace and this Government will act without hesitation as the facts become clearer.'

Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh said if Russia was behind the attack it was a 'brazen act of war' that was an effort at 'humiliating our country'. 

The Home Secretary replied to him: 'There will come a time for attribution, and further consequences will then follow'. 

Former minister Sir Des Swayne used Ms Rudd's statement on the attack to demand higher defence spending to confront Britain's enemies.

Yvette Cooper, the Labour chairwoman of the Home Affairs Committee, called for a review of 14 other murders suspected to be linked to Russia.

She suggested Britain go to the UN Security Council with the case to call for an international declaration on extradition of suspects.  

Earlier, the Home Secretary revealed that a police officer hospitalised after responding to the attack is now 'talking and engaging'.

Ms Rudd told ITV's Good Morning Britain that Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were still in a 'very serious condition' following the plot on Sunday.

Ms Rudd said: 'I've spoken to Mark Rowley (Scotland Yard's head of counter-terro*ism policing) this morning. The two targets are still in very serious condition.

'The policeman is talking and is engaging, so I'm more optimistic for him, but it's too early to say. This is a nerve agent. You know, we are still treating it as very serious.'

She added that she was 'hopeful' that the police officer would make a recovery.