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Russian spy: Embassy requests meeting with Boris Johnson | Russian spy: Embassy requests meeting with Boris Johnson |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Russian Embassy in London has requested a meeting between its ambassador and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson over the Salisbury poisoning. | The Russian Embassy in London has requested a meeting between its ambassador and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson over the Salisbury poisoning. |
An embassy spokesperson said it was "high time" for a meeting to discuss the investigation, as well as a "whole range of bilateral issues". | An embassy spokesperson said it was "high time" for a meeting to discuss the investigation, as well as a "whole range of bilateral issues". |
Current interaction between the Russian Embassy and the foreign office was "utterly unsatisfactory", they said. | Current interaction between the Russian Embassy and the foreign office was "utterly unsatisfactory", they said. |
The Foreign Office confirmed it had received the request. | The Foreign Office confirmed it had received the request. |
Sergei and Yulia Skripal were poisoned with a toxic nerve agent called Novichok in Salisbury more than a month ago. | Sergei and Yulia Skripal were poisoned with a toxic nerve agent called Novichok in Salisbury more than a month ago. |
The UK government claims Russia is behind the attack but Moscow has denied all involvement. | The UK government claims Russia is behind the attack but Moscow has denied all involvement. |
In a statement sent to the BBC an embassy spokesman said: "We believe that it is high time to arrange a meeting between Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson." | In a statement sent to the BBC an embassy spokesman said: "We believe that it is high time to arrange a meeting between Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson." |
It added that the ambassador had already sent a note to the foreign secretary, and it hoped "the British side will engage constructively and that such meeting is arranged shortly". | It added that the ambassador had already sent a note to the foreign secretary, and it hoped "the British side will engage constructively and that such meeting is arranged shortly". |
The Foreign Office said it would respond in due course. | The Foreign Office said it would respond in due course. |
The request follows criticism from the Russian Embassy after the British government's refusal to grant a visa to Ms Skripal's cousin, Viktoria Skripal, to visit the UK. | The request follows criticism from the Russian Embassy after the British government's refusal to grant a visa to Ms Skripal's cousin, Viktoria Skripal, to visit the UK. |
On Friday the Home Office said the application did not comply with immigration rules. | On Friday the Home Office said the application did not comply with immigration rules. |
But the Russian Embassy said Sergei and Yulia "remain hidden from the public". | But the Russian Embassy said Sergei and Yulia "remain hidden from the public". |
"The stubborn refusal to cooperate, to provide transparency and to answer the numerous questions means Britain has something to hide," an embassy spokesman said. | "The stubborn refusal to cooperate, to provide transparency and to answer the numerous questions means Britain has something to hide," an embassy spokesman said. |
Viktoria Skripal later told the BBC she did not have enough money in her bank account to satisfy the visa requirements. | Viktoria Skripal later told the BBC she did not have enough money in her bank account to satisfy the visa requirements. |
Mr Skripal was jailed by Russia for spying for Britain's intelligence service, but released as part of a spy swap between the US and Russia in 2010. | |
His daughter Yulia was visiting him in the UK when the attack happened on 4 March. | |
Salisbury District Hospital has said Mr Skripal, is responding well to treatment and "improving rapidly". | |
His daughter Yulia is conscious and talking in hospital. | |
A diplomatic crisis between Russia and the West has followed, with more than 20 countries expelling Russian envoys in solidarity with the UK. |