Russia statement - as it happened: Theresa May to expel 23 spies from UK in response to Salisbury poisoning attack
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Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May has said that 23 Russian spies will be expelled from the UK as a response to the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury.
The move, which is the biggest expulsion in more than 30 years, has been described by the Russians as "unacceptable" and a "provocation".
The Prime Minister also confirmed that no UK dignitaries will attend the World Cup in Russia this year, and said a planned visit by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov will be scrapped.
Ms May addressed MPs following Prime Minister’s Questions, after Russia failed to comply with the British government’s midnight demand for an explanation of the poisoning of the ex-spy.
She said Vladimir Putin had responded to her demand to explain the “reckless and despicable act” in Salisbury with “sarcasm, contempt and defiance”.
She concluded that that was "no alternative" other than the Russian state was responsible for the incident.
Jeremy Corbyn's spokesman responded to the news by saying Mr Corbyn does not yet believe he has seen enough evidence to point the finger of blame at the Russian state.
He also cast aspersions on the evidence that had been presented, raising Iraq as the reason to be suspicious over intelligence that is presented to the public.
The comments were met with several Labour MPs vocally disagreeing with Mr Corbyn tabling a motion to back Ms May's view that Russia was definitely culpable.
See below for all the updates
Theresa May's statement has now started on Russia.
She pays tribute to the professionalism of emergency services and the fortitude of the people of Salsibury.
The PM says on Monday she set out how the ex-Russian spy was targeted with a nerve agent. May says there were two plausible explanations: Russia was to blame or lost control of the agent.
She says their response has resulted in complete disdain for the event - no explanation for the use of the chemical weapon.
They have treated it with sarcasm, she says.
There is no other conclusion that the Russian state was culpable for the attempted murder.
May says it is now essential we come together with our allies, to send a message to those who seek to undermine our values.
The PM is starting with immediate actions by the UK.
She says the UK will now expel 23 Russian diplomats, "they have just one week to leave". It is the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats from the UK since the 1970s.
She announces move to dismantle the Russian espionage network in the UK.
May says the response must be robust but must also stay true to our values, recognising the important contribution of Russians in the UK.
She says she continues it is not in our national interest to break off dialogue
She says she will suspend all high-level diplomatic cooperation between the UK and Russia.
The Royal Family will not be attending the world cup in Russia, she says.
May says she will speak to other partners and allies in the coming days.
Late today, in New York, the UN security council will meet. She will be pushing for a robust response, May says.
May says this was not just an attempted murder but an affront to the use of chemical weapons.
Corbyn is now responding to May's statement on Russia. He calls the attack, using nerve agent, was utterly reckless and abominable.
JC says it's essential the UK government works alongside the United Nations. "Our response must be based on clear evidence".
He adds the circumstances demands we build an international consensus to demand Russia supply full details of its chemical weapons.
He says it is a huge regret our diplomatic capacity has been stripped back cuts.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson heckles at Corbyn but May accuses him of demeaning his office.
In response to Corbyn, May says it is already clear she has a consensus with her international allies, and crucially, with backbenchers.
She says JC could have taken the opportunity to condemn the culpability of the Russian state, and he chose not too.
Senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper says Russia “must be met with unequivocal condemnation” - a clear swipe at her party's leader.
And here's Chuka Umunna, another critic of the Labour leader.
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