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Syrian conflict: Key sarin ingredients sold by UK firms Syrian conflict: Key sarin ingredients sold by UK firms
(about 1 hour later)
Britain sold chemicals and components to Syria that ended up being used in the manufacture of the deadly nerve agent sarin, BBC Newsnight can reveal.Britain sold chemicals and components to Syria that ended up being used in the manufacture of the deadly nerve agent sarin, BBC Newsnight can reveal.
A leaked Foreign Office document says they were supplied in the mid-1980s.A leaked Foreign Office document says they were supplied in the mid-1980s.
Ministers will confirm within days that UK firms provided the materials and that Syria has admitted they played a role in its chemical weapons programme.Ministers will confirm within days that UK firms provided the materials and that Syria has admitted they played a role in its chemical weapons programme.
They will say there were no proper regulations at the time, but that tighter rules and controls exist now.They will say there were no proper regulations at the time, but that tighter rules and controls exist now.
Sarin has been linked to a number of attacks in Syria's bloody three-year conflict.Sarin has been linked to a number of attacks in Syria's bloody three-year conflict.
'Tipping point''Tipping point'
A report by UN chemical weapons inspectors found "clear and convincing evidence" that surface-to-surface rockets containing sarin were fired at suburbs to the east and west of the Syrian capital Damascus last August - an attack that killed hundreds of people.A report by UN chemical weapons inspectors found "clear and convincing evidence" that surface-to-surface rockets containing sarin were fired at suburbs to the east and west of the Syrian capital Damascus last August - an attack that killed hundreds of people.
The US and UK accused President Bashar al-Assad's government of being behind the attacks, but Damascus blamed rebel groups fighting to topple him.The US and UK accused President Bashar al-Assad's government of being behind the attacks, but Damascus blamed rebel groups fighting to topple him.
However, US, UK, French and Israeli officials, have also said there is also evidence that Syrian government forces used sarin against rebels and civilians on several previous occasions. However, US, UK, French and Israeli officials have said there is also evidence that Syrian government forces used sarin against rebels and civilians on several previous occasions.
Attacks like those in Damascus proved the tipping point for the West - the redline that encouraged David Cameron and Barack Obama to consider military action to stop the conflict.Attacks like those in Damascus proved the tipping point for the West - the redline that encouraged David Cameron and Barack Obama to consider military action to stop the conflict.
The UK took a leading role in forcing the Syrian regime to destroy its stockpiles of chemical weapons - and disclose to inspectors which countries were guilty of providing the materials.The UK took a leading role in forcing the Syrian regime to destroy its stockpiles of chemical weapons - and disclose to inspectors which countries were guilty of providing the materials.
Sarin building blocksSarin building blocks
Syria's declarations to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) name Britain as the sole supplier of dimethyl phosphate (DMP), trimethyl phosphate (TMP) and hexamine - three chemicals that Syria used in the production of sarin.Syria's declarations to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) name Britain as the sole supplier of dimethyl phosphate (DMP), trimethyl phosphate (TMP) and hexamine - three chemicals that Syria used in the production of sarin.
The phosphate chemicals are regarded as the building blocks of sarin and Newsnight understands British companies sold hundreds of metric tonnes of them to Damascus.The phosphate chemicals are regarded as the building blocks of sarin and Newsnight understands British companies sold hundreds of metric tonnes of them to Damascus.
Syria's declarations have since been verified by a Whitehall audit of chemical sales by British companies.Syria's declarations have since been verified by a Whitehall audit of chemical sales by British companies.
WHAT IS SARIN?WHAT IS SARIN?
Electrical fans that were thought to have only commercial uses were also sold to Syria in 2003, but they too ended up being used in the manufacture of sarin.Electrical fans that were thought to have only commercial uses were also sold to Syria in 2003, but they too ended up being used in the manufacture of sarin.
Ministers will say that the chemicals were provided at a time when there were no proper regulations of such trade.Ministers will say that the chemicals were provided at a time when there were no proper regulations of such trade.
However, Britain must have been aware that something was amiss because, in 1985 and 1986, it rushed through new rules to stop certain chemicals being shipped to Syria over fears they were being weaponised.However, Britain must have been aware that something was amiss because, in 1985 and 1986, it rushed through new rules to stop certain chemicals being shipped to Syria over fears they were being weaponised.
A swathe of tighter rules and export licence controls now exist and the sales of TMP and DMP are heavily regulated.A swathe of tighter rules and export licence controls now exist and the sales of TMP and DMP are heavily regulated.
Ministers believe it would be very difficult for such material to end up being sold in this way again.Ministers believe it would be very difficult for such material to end up being sold in this way again.
The Foreign Office document makes clear Britain was not the only country guilty of selling materials to Damascus that ended up in its chemical weapons programme.The Foreign Office document makes clear Britain was not the only country guilty of selling materials to Damascus that ended up in its chemical weapons programme.
It states that "16 countries have been listed as suppliers to the Syrian programme. Of these 7, including the UK, provided both chemicals and equipment parts".It states that "16 countries have been listed as suppliers to the Syrian programme. Of these 7, including the UK, provided both chemicals and equipment parts".
'Pinnacle of weapons''Pinnacle of weapons'
But the document also makes clear this is not just an embarrassment from the distant past.But the document also makes clear this is not just an embarrassment from the distant past.
It explains: "Syria's declarations also list the UK as having supplied a number of electrical component parts, including fans. A licence for the export of fans was issued in 2003; it would seem these were diverted to the Syrian programme."It explains: "Syria's declarations also list the UK as having supplied a number of electrical component parts, including fans. A licence for the export of fans was issued in 2003; it would seem these were diverted to the Syrian programme."
This was in the year Iraq was invaded over weapons of mass destruction that did not exist.This was in the year Iraq was invaded over weapons of mass destruction that did not exist.
Professor Alastair Hay, a chemical weapons expert from the University of Leeds, said: "Sarin is what you would say is at the pinnacle of chemical weapons.Professor Alastair Hay, a chemical weapons expert from the University of Leeds, said: "Sarin is what you would say is at the pinnacle of chemical weapons.
"It is very toxic. It is a chemical that is quite versatile."It is very toxic. It is a chemical that is quite versatile.
"The amount that is required to kill somebody is very, very tiny and it can be dispersed very well and that is why a relatively small quantity killed in the region of a thousand people in Syria.""The amount that is required to kill somebody is very, very tiny and it can be dispersed very well and that is why a relatively small quantity killed in the region of a thousand people in Syria."
He added: "I think at the time somebody should have been a bit more alert and saying... Why are we doing this? These chemicals have other uses but they can certainly be used in a chemical weapons programme and we shouldn't be selling them'." Referring to the period when the supplies were sold to Syria, he added: "I think at the time somebody should have been a bit more alert and saying... 'Why are we doing this? These chemicals have other uses but they can certainly be used in a chemical weapons programme and we shouldn't be selling them.'"