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.
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In response to Mr Corbyn's position Theresa May said: "I am surprised and shocked at the statement that has been put out by the spokesman for the leader of the opposition, and as I was going to say it is very clear I think from the remarks that have been made by backbenchers from the Labour Party that they will be equally concerned about that remark.
"They stand full square behind the Government in the analysis that we have shown and the action that we have taken."
Former Labour minister Chris Bryant MP accused the Russian ambassador of lying to MPs, attempting to stop parliamentary debates on Russia and interfering in Commons elections.
Chris Bryant told the Commons it was time the Government "told him that we will order our affairs in this country".
Dominic Grieve MP, the former attorney general, has warned that Russian violence will increase if Britain does not craft a "sustained strategy" to persuade it to conform to a rules-based international system.
The Tory MP said: "The difficulty we face is not so much in getting the concurrence of our allies in agreeing on the nature of the outrage, but how we are going to craft a sustained strategy so that those of us who believe in the rules-based international system can apply the necessary leverage and persuasion on Russia to conform to it.
"And that the very serious risk that we run is that if we don't succeed in doing this, the level of violence that Russia is going to exercise with impunity against other states and us will simply increase, and that this is something which our allies in particular must have regard to if we are going to make any progress."
The Home Office has updated its travel advice for British nationals in Russia warning that there is the "possibility of anti-British sentiment or harassment".
"Due to heightened political tensions between the UK and Russia, you should be aware of the possibility of anti-British sentiment or harassment at this time; you’re advised to remain vigilant, avoid any protests or demonstrations and avoid commenting publically on political developments," the Home Office said.
"While the British Embassy in Moscow is not aware of any increased difficulties for British people travelling in Russia at this time, you should follow the security and political situation closely and keep up to date with this travel advice."
Tom Tugendhat, the Tory chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has urged the Prime Minister to "use the tools at her disposal to expose the wealth" of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his family.
Speaking in the Commons following Theresa May's statement on the incident in Salisbury, Tom Tugendhat called on the Government to "expose him for what he is and not be a useful idiot hiding behind legalism of his crimes".
↵This is a response from a Labour MP on what Jeremy Corbyn's spokesperson told journalists after he responded to Theresa May's statement in the Commons on Russia earlier today.
Russia's foreign ministry says the PMs statement is "flagrant provocation" and the UK Government has chosen "confrontation" with Russia
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