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International chemical watchdog CONFIRMS UK’s findings that Sergei Skripal was poisoned with Russian-made Novichok
A GLOBAL chemical weapons watchdog has confirmed a weapons grade nerve agent developed by Russia was used in last month’s attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in Salisbury.
Testing by four laboratories used by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) backed British findings that Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were attacked with a chemical from the Novichok group of poisons, developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and ‘80s.
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Both the environmental and blood samples collected by the OPCW inspectors confirm the presence of the Novichok-type chemical.
The United Kingdom has blamed Russia for the March 4 poisoning of Sergi Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, on the nerve agent which could have only been made and held by Russia.
A police officer was also taken ill after helping the pair as they writhed in agony on a bench.
Moscow denies any involvement, saying Britain hasn't provided evidence to support its assertion.
But the OPCW, which collected its own samples in the city of Salisbury at Britain's request, now has concluded the Russian made agent was used in the assassination attempt.
It said: "The results of analysis by OPCW-designated laboratories of environmental and biomedical samples collected by the OPCW team confirm the findings of the United Kingdom relating to the identity of the toxic chemical that was used in Salisbury and severely injured three people."
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Professor Alastair Hay, Professor of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Leeds, said: “The high purity of the substance will strengthen the UK's position that the agent was made by a highly proficient team and in a well refined process.
“The picture that has emerged today will not add to the police investigation but it confirms the nature of the agent they are dealing with.”
The findings come after Yulia Skripal yesterday rejected a Russian Embassy offer of help as she recovers at an undisclosed location.
Yulia, 33, was released from the hospital earlier this week, but her father is recovering more slowly.
"I am not yet strong enough to give a full interview to the media, as I one day hope to do," Yulia Skripal said in a statement released by London's Metropolitan Police.
"Until that time, I want to stress that no one speaks for me, or for my father, but ourselves."
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Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says that only the Russians had the "means motive and record" to launch the nerve agent attack
He added: “Today the international chemical weapons watchdog has confirmed the findings of the United Kingdom relating to the identity of the toxic chemical used in the attempted assassination of Mr Skripal and his daughter, and which also resulted in the hospitalisation of a British police officer. That was a military grade nerve agent – a Novichok.
“This is based on testing in four independent, highly reputable laboratories around the world. All returned the same conclusive results.
“There can be no doubt what was used and there remains no alternative explanation about who was responsible – only Russia has the means, motive and record.
“We invited the OPCW to test these samples to ensure strict adherence to international chemical weapons protocols. We have never doubted the analysis of our Scientists at Porton Down.
“We will now work tirelessly with our partners to help stamp out the grotesque use of weapons of this kind and we have called a session of the OPCW Executive Council next Wednesday to discuss next steps. The Kremlin must give answers.
“We must, as a world community, stand up for the rules based order which keeps us all safe. The use of weapons of this kind can never be justified, and must be ended.”
How did the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) come to its conclusion?
Samples collected by the OPCW inspectors confirmed the presence of a lethal chemical a highly purified - weapons grade - Novichok-type nerve agent.
Blood had been taken by attendant medical staff looking after the Skripals, and collected under observation by the OPCW inspectors, confirm the presence of breakdown products of the chemical.
All samples were collected and processed under complete chain-of-custody.
Four designated laboratories which the OPCW has access to, and which meet the organisation's proficiency criteria, were involved in the analysis.
Two laboratories also analysed the environmental samples - found outside - and two dealt with the samples from the victims.
NHS workers in hazardous material protective suits after former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were taken ill in Salisbury
The findings by came as the head of Britain's GCHQ spy agency said that the poisoning showed just "how reckless Russia is prepared to be".
In his first public speech since taking over as head of Britain's eavesdropping intelligence agency, Jeremy Fleming said the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, southern England, demonstrated Russia's "unacceptable" behaviour.
Britain has blamed Russia for the attack while Moscow has denied any involvement.
It has led to one of the biggest diplomatic crisis between Russia and Western nations since the Cold War.
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Russia has accused Britain of trying to drum up anti-Russian sentiment and even suggested the British might have carried out the attack themselves.
It has denied possessing the nerve agent Britain says was used while Russian President Vladimir Putin has said it was nonsense to think that Moscow would have poisoned Skripal and his daughter.
When asked today Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn declined to say whether Putin bears any responsibility for the Salisbury nerve agent attack.
Mr Corbyn said: "I think somebody was obviously responsible for it and that somebody has to be found. My view is that the use of nerve agents is obviously vile and wrong. And the chemical weapons convention inspection must take place and those that did it must be held responsible.
"Clearly, Novichok is of Russian design and Russian origin, but the investigation should take place on this."
Meanwhile PM Theresa May called an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the growing international crisis in the wake of the nerve agent attacks in Salisbury and allegedly by the Russian backed Syrian regime on its own people.
There is speculation that Mrs May is preparing to authorise UK forces to attack Assad.
The Ministry of Defence refused to comment on a report in the Daily Telegraph that Royal Navy submarines had been ordered into range to launch Tomahawk missile strikes within the coming days.
Yet any attack is bound to be countered by formidable S-400 air defence units which are thought capable of shooting down most planes or missiles.
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