This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43390885

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Russian spy: Embassy warns UK against 'punitive' measures Russian spy: Embassy warns UK against 'punitive' measures
(35 minutes later)
The UK's threat of "punitive" measures against Russia over the poisoning of a former spy and his daughter will "meet with a response", Russia has said.The UK's threat of "punitive" measures against Russia over the poisoning of a former spy and his daughter will "meet with a response", Russia has said.
Russia's UK embassy posted a series of tweets as a deadline looms for it to explain how a Russia-made nerve agent was used in Salisbury. Russia's UK embassy posted a series of tweets as a deadline looms for it to explain how a Russian-made nerve agent was used in Salisbury.
It said there would be no reply to the "ultimatum" until it is given access to samples of the nerve agent. It said there would be no reply to the "ultimatum" until it was given access to samples of the substance.
No 10 said Donald Trump has told the PM the "US was with the UK all the way".No 10 said Donald Trump has told the PM the "US was with the UK all the way".
In a telephone conversation, the US president agreed with Theresa May that the Russian government "must provide unambiguous answers as to how this nerve agent came to be used" against Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, it added. In a telephone conversation, the US president agreed with Theresa May that the Russian government "must provide unambiguous answers as to how this nerve agent came to be used" against Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, on 4 March. Downing Street added.
The PM has said it was "highly likely" Russia was involved and the UK must "stand ready" to take action. The PM has said it is "highly likely" Russia was involved in the poisoning and the UK must "stand ready" to take action.
She said details would be set out in the Commons on Wednesday should there be no "credible" explanation by midnight on Tuesday on how a military-grade nerve agent developed by Russia - part of a group of nerve agents known as Novichok - was used on 4 March. She said details would be set out in the Commons on Wednesday should there be no "credible" explanation by midnight on Tuesday from Moscow.
Downing Street said Theresa May also held a telephone conservation with France's President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who both expressed "solidarity" with the UK 's position. No 10 said Mr May also spoke on the phone to France's President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who both expressed "solidarity" with the UK 's position.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said if the attack was shown to be a "direct act" by the Russian state it would be a "clear violation of the chemical weapons convention, a breach of international law and a threat to those who abide by the rules-based international order".Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said if the attack was shown to be a "direct act" by the Russian state it would be a "clear violation of the chemical weapons convention, a breach of international law and a threat to those who abide by the rules-based international order".
The Foreign Office said the UK would brief a session of the North Atlantic Council, Nato's political decision-making body, on Wednesday. Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg earlier said the incident was "of great concern". The Foreign Office said the UK would brief a session of the North Atlantic Council, Nato's political decision-making body, on Wednesday.
One of the tweets from the Russian embassy said: "Any threat to take 'punitive' measures against Russia will meet with a response. The British side should be aware of that."One of the tweets from the Russian embassy said: "Any threat to take 'punitive' measures against Russia will meet with a response. The British side should be aware of that."
It said the Chemical Weapons Convention stipulates a joint investigation should take place into such incidents, "for which Moscow is ready". The embassy said the Chemical Weapons Convention stipulates a joint investigation should take place into such incidents, "for which Moscow is ready".
The embassy added the UK ambassador in Moscow was summoned to the foreign ministry in and told the UK's actions were a "clear provocation" and Russia was not involved in the poisoning. It added the UK ambassador in Moscow was summoned to the foreign ministry and told the UK's actions were a "clear provocation" and Russia was not involved in the poisoning.
Giving an update in the attempted murder investigation, police said former double agent Mr Skripal and his daughter remain critically ill in hospital after being found slumped on a park bench in the centre of Salisbury.Giving an update in the attempted murder investigation, police said former double agent Mr Skripal and his daughter remain critically ill in hospital after being found slumped on a park bench in the centre of Salisbury.
Det Sgt Nick Bailey, who fell ill responding to the incident, is in a serious but stable condition.Det Sgt Nick Bailey, who fell ill responding to the incident, is in a serious but stable condition.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said 35 other people had been seen in hospital, of whom 34 had been assessed and discharged, while the condition of one person is being monitored as an outpatient.Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said 35 other people had been seen in hospital, of whom 34 had been assessed and discharged, while the condition of one person is being monitored as an outpatient.
Mr Basu revealed that Miss Skripal had flown into Heathrow Airport on Saturday, 3 March.Mr Basu revealed that Miss Skripal had flown into Heathrow Airport on Saturday, 3 March.
He appealed for witnesses who saw the pair in her father's Red BMW car - registration plate HD09 WAO - between 13:00 and 13.45 GMT on the day of the poisoning.He appealed for witnesses who saw the pair in her father's Red BMW car - registration plate HD09 WAO - between 13:00 and 13.45 GMT on the day of the poisoning.
The car was left in Sainsbury's upper level car park in the Maltings shopping area before the Skripals went to the Bishops Mill Pub and then the restaurant Zizzi.The car was left in Sainsbury's upper level car park in the Maltings shopping area before the Skripals went to the Bishops Mill Pub and then the restaurant Zizzi.
Mr Basu said the police investigation will take "many weeks", with the "prime focus" being how the poison was administered.Mr Basu said the police investigation will take "many weeks", with the "prime focus" being how the poison was administered.
However, he said detectives were "not declaring a person of interest or suspect at this time".However, he said detectives were "not declaring a person of interest or suspect at this time".
Police confirmed that Mr Skripal, who came to the UK in 2010 as part of a "spy swap" after he had been convicted by Russia of passing information to MI6, was a British citizen.Police confirmed that Mr Skripal, who came to the UK in 2010 as part of a "spy swap" after he had been convicted by Russia of passing information to MI6, was a British citizen.
In other developments:In other developments:
How could the UK retaliate against Russia?How could the UK retaliate against Russia?
Britain could expel Russian diplomats, as it did after the poisoning of former Russian Federal Security Service operative Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 with radioactive polonium.Britain could expel Russian diplomats, as it did after the poisoning of former Russian Federal Security Service operative Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 with radioactive polonium.
But many argue that this, and the other measures that were taken after that killing - including visa restrictions on Russian officials - did not go far enough.But many argue that this, and the other measures that were taken after that killing - including visa restrictions on Russian officials - did not go far enough.
So what else could the UK do?So what else could the UK do?
Other possible actions could include:Other possible actions could include:
Read more on how the UK could retaliateRead more on how the UK could retaliate
Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morningGet news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning