Syria strikes - as it happened: Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons capability 'set back for years' by bombing, Pentagon says

The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, has said the Netherlands is not considering joining possible military action in Syria, even though it is probable that banned chemical weapons were used by the government.

"We have understanding for a possible reaction, but at this time it is not on the table that the Netherlands would participate", Mr Rutte said.

Alexander Yakovenko, Russia's ambassador to the UK, told a press conference in London: "The Syrian government had been repeatedly warning for at least a month that rebels prepared to stage a provocation with chemical weapons in this very area."

Mr Yakovenko said international inspectors were expected in Syria on Saturday, adding: "But I believe that any delay may be used to carry out military strikes to cover up all the evidence, or lack there of, on the ground."

He went on to show footage of former prime minister Tony Blair apologising for intelligence mistakes in the run-up to the Iraq war.

Mr Yakovenko said the US and its allies had provided "no tangible proof" to back up claims the Syrian government was responsible for the attack.

He added: "We are witnessing very dangerous developments in Syria. The current US politics, supported almost mechanically by France and the UK, is becoming a threat to the peace and security in the region and beyond."

Russia's ambassador has accused the British authorities of destroying evidence in the Salisbury nerve agent attack.

Alexander Yakovenko said the UK had yet to produce the evidence to back its claims that Russia was responsible for the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.

"The British government still hasn't produced any evidence in support of its position that would confirm their official version," he told a news conference at the Russian embassy in London.

"We get the impression the British Government is deliberately pursuing the policy of destroying all possible evidence."

Mr Yakovenko complained at the continued refusal of the British authorities to grant consular access to Ms Skripal following her discharge from hospital.

He questioned the authenticity of a statement issued by Ms Skripal through the Metropolitan Police saying she did not want to meet Russian officials.

"We are not allowed to see our citizens, talk to doctors, have no idea about the treatment the Russian nationals receive," he said.

"We cannot be sure that Yulia's refusal to see us is genuine. We have every reason to see such actions as the abduction of two Russian nationals.

"The statement made by Scotland Yard on behalf of Yulia Skripal only confirms our suspicions."

He also said a claim by a British security advisor on Friday that Russia spied on the former double agent and his daughter for at least five years before they were attacked with a nerve agent was a "big surprise."

"If someone was spying, why were the British services not complaining about that?" Mr Yakovenko told reporters.

"They always complain if something goes wrong. We didn't see any signs, any applications from the British side that they are not happy with the way Skripals were living in Salisbury."

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has been speaking a meeting of the body's Security Council - with Russia having requested his presence.

He called the reports of use of chemical weapons "abhorrent" but said there is "no military solution" to the crisis in Syria.

He added that the increasing tensions over Syria threatens to "lead to full-blown military escalation".

Mr Guterres urged all states "to act responsibly in these dangerous circumstances."

"Increasing tensions and the inability to reach a compromise in the establishment of an accountability mechanism threaten to lead to a full-blown military escalation," he added.

After the Russian ambassador took a turn - again denying the chemical attack, US Ambassador to the UN - Nikki Haley is now speaking.

Ms Haley says the apparent chemical attack is a break with "all morality".

There should be no rush to launch military action on Syria, but 'at one point you have to do something', Ms Haley tells the Council