Government has 'no current plans’ for fresh sanctions on Russia over latest novichok poisoning

Chloe Chaplain8 July 2018

The Home Secretary revealed the Government has "no current plans" to impose fresh sanctions on Russia, despite accusing the country of using Britain as a "dumping ground" for poison.

During a brief tour of Amesbury in Wiltshire, where two residents remain critically ill in hospital after being exposed to the nerve agent Novichok, Sajid Javid said he would not "jump to conclusions" over the latest attack.

It comes four months after former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia fell ill after being exposed to Novichok in nearby Salisbury.

Police have yet to identify any individuals responsible for the poisoning, and are working to establish how the latest victims - Dawn Sturgess, 44, and her partner Charlie Rowley, 45 - came into contact with the nerve agent.

Visit: Sajid Javid (L) meeting staff and emergency personnel at Salisbury hospital
EPA

Mr Javid told the Press Association: "Clearly what we have already determined, what our expert scientists have determined, is that the nerve agent in this incident is the exact same nerve agent as was used back in March (when the Skripals were poisoned).

"We know back in March that was the Russians. We know it was a barbaric inhuman act by the Russian state. Again for this particular incident we need to learn more and let the police do their work."

Asked if secrecy had been prioritised over public safety, Mr Javid said: "No, I think the advice both from the first incident and now was absolutely correct.

Poisoning: Home Secretary Sajid Javid (right) speaks to the media at Muggleton Road
PA

"There is no evidence at this point that the two individuals hurt by this incident visited any of the areas that the Skripals visited.

"That said, I think everyone would want to listen to the advice of the professionals and make sure we take some precautions."

Mr Javid, who visited the site for around 25 minutes in total, met with Angus Macpherson, the Conservative police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire and Kier Pritchard, the Wiltshire police chief constable.

He also briefly met some residents inside the police cordon, but others said they were disappointed he did not talk with them.

Last night it was confirmed a police officer who attended hospital over concerns he may have been exposed to Novichok has been given the all-clear.

Forensic investigators are continuing to comb for clues in Wiltshire after the latest Novichok poisonings.

Victims: Charlie Rowley and Dawn Sturgess were found collapsed last Saturday

Investigators wearing camouflage protective clothing entered the John Baker House assisted-living accommodation in Salisbury, where mother-of-three Ms Sturgess lives, after they took a sample from the outside of the building on Friday.

The second nerve agent emergency in four months prompted a diplomatic row, with Mr Javid accusing the Russian state of using Britain as a "dumping ground for poison".

The Russian Embassy hit back, accusing the Government of trying to "muddy the waters" and "frighten its own citizens".

Additional reporting by PA.

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