Theresa May lashes out at 'blatant lies' following interview with two Novichok attack suspects

Theresa May said the interview was an 'insult to the public's intelligence'
EPA
James Morris13 September 2018

Downing Street has accused Russia of "lies and blatant fabrications" following the television interview with the two Salisbury poisoning suspects.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said on Thursday: "The lies and blatant fabrications in this interview given to a Russian-state sponsored TV station are an insult to public's intelligence.

"More importantly, they are deeply offensive to the victims and loved ones of this horrific attack. Sadly, it is what we have come to expect.

"An illegal chemical weapon has been used on the streets of this country. We have seen four people left seriously ill in hospital and an innocent woman has died. Russia has responded with contempt."

Novichok suspects Alexander Petrov (left) and Ruslan Boshirov
PA

The spokesman added that police had set out very clearly the evidence against the two suspects, who were charged last week.

He continued: "They are wanted men and we have taken steps to ensure that they are apprehended and brought to justice in the UK if they ever again set foot outside Russia."

A Met Police CCTV still of suspects Ruslan Boshirov and Alexander Petrov in Salisbury in March
Met Police

In an interview with Russian channel RT, the men confirmed they were in Salisbury before the Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, fell critically ill from ingesting nerve agent Novichok.

"Yeah that's us," Petrov said. "Our friends had been suggesting for a long time that we visit this wonderful town.

"There’s the famous Salisbury Cathedral, famous not only in Europe but in the whole world. It’s famous for its 123-metre spire, it’s famous for its clock, one of the first-ever created in the world that is still working."

Former Russian spy Mr Skripal and his daughter were poisoned in March.

Charlie Rowley, 45, and his partner, Dawn Sturgess, were exposed to the same nerve agent used in this attack. Ms Sturgess, 44, who used a perfume bottle containing a “significant” amount of Novichok, died in July.

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