The parents of a British woman who died in an alleged assassination attempt on a Russian double agent criticised Saturday the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/britain-asks-chemical-watchdog-to-extend-novichok-probe-157630">UK government</a> for settling the ex-spy in the English city Salisbury.

Stan and Caroline Sturgess, whose daughter <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/novichok-victim-recalls-oily-substance-in-perfume-bottle-154283">Dawn</a> died after coming into contact with a nerve agent allegedly used in last year's poisoning of Sergei Skripal, said they believed British authorities were withholding details of the incident.

"If anyone, I blame the government for putting Skripal in Salisbury," Stan Sturgess told The Guardian newspaper in the family's first interview since her death last July.

"I want justice from our own government. What are they hiding? I don't think they have given us all the facts."

Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found on March 4 slumped unconscious on a park bench in the centre of the quiet cathedral city Salisbury in southwest England.

Britain and Western allies have accused Russia of carrying out the poisoning using a Soviet-era nerve agent called Novichok, but Moscow has furiously denied any involvement.

The Skripals survived but Sturgess died after her partner gave her a discarded perfume bottle several months later that police think had been used to hold the toxin, and she sprayed it on her skin.

Stan Sturgess said the family have complicated feelings towards Skripal, a former Russian military intelligence colonel who was found guilty of passing state secrets to Britain and sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2006.&nbsp;

He was pardoned by then-president Dmitry Medvedev and released as part of a spy swap with the West in 2010, leading an apparently quiet life in Salisbury until last March.

"I don't know where Skripal is and I don't know what I'd do if I met him. He's still got his daughter," said Sturgess of the ex-spy, who has not been seen publicly in Britain since the attack.

Caroline Sturgess, Dawn's mother and a retired civil servant, told The Guardian the former spy's past made him a more legitimate target than their entirely innocent daughter.

"I can't take it personally," she said of the loss.

"It's sad they ended up in a coma but they weren't the true victims.

"He [Skripal] took risks -- he must have known there was a chance people were still after him."

The parents of a British woman who died in an alleged assassination attempt on a Russian double agent criticised Saturday the UK government for settling the ex-spy in the English city Salisbury.

The parents of a British woman who died in an alleged assassination attempt on a Russian double agent criticised Saturday the UK government for settling the ex-spy in the English city Salisbury. Stan and Caroline Sturgess, whose daughter Dawn died after coming into contact with a nerve agent allegedly used in last year's poisoning of Sergei Skripal, said they believed British authorities were withholding details of the incident. "If anyone, I blame the government for putting Skripal in Salisbury," Stan Sturgess told The Guardian newspaper in the family's first interview since her death last July. "I want justice from our own government. What are they hiding? I don't think they have given us all the facts." Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found on March 4 slumped unconscious on a park bench in the centre of the quiet cathedral city Salisbury in southwest England. Britain and Western allies have accused Russia of carrying out the poisoning using a Soviet-era nerve agent called Novichok, but Moscow has furiously denied any involvement. The Skripals survived but Sturgess died after her partner gave her a discarded perfume bottle several months later that police think had been used to hold the toxin, and she sprayed it on her skin. Stan Sturgess said the family have complicated feelings towards Skripal, a former Russian military intelligence colonel who was found guilty of passing state secrets to Britain and sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2006. He was pardoned by then-president Dmitry Medvedev and released as part of a spy swap with the West in 2010, leading an apparently quiet life in Salisbury until last March. "I don't know where Skripal is and I don't know what I'd do if I met him. He's still got his daughter," said Sturgess of the ex-spy, who has not been seen publicly in Britain since the attack. Caroline Sturgess, Dawn's mother and a retired civil servant, told The Guardian the former spy's past made him a more legitimate target than their entirely innocent daughter. "I can't take it personally," she said of the loss. "It's sad they ended up in a coma but they weren't the true victims. "He [Skripal] took risks -- he must have known there was a chance people were still after him."

Parents of Novichok victim ask why UK settled ex-spy in Salisbury

Russia on Monday threatened&nbsp;retaliatory measures after the <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/world/european-union-sanctions-russia-military-intel-chief-syrian-officials-over-skripal-191829">European Union imposed chemical weapons sanctions</a> on nine Russian officials over <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/from-russian-spy-poisoning-to-diplomatic-fallout-149289">nerve agent attack</a>.

"We reserve the right to take retaliatory measures over this unfriendly step," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The European Union(EU) had today imposed sanctions on nine Russian officials&nbsp;including the head and the deputy head of the powerful GRU military intelligence agency.

It blamed the Russians for &nbsp;"possession, transport and use" of the nerve agent 'Novichok'&nbsp;used in the attack&nbsp;in Salisbury, England last year in March.

In addition to an assets freeze and travel ban against Russian officials, the bloc announced sanctions on an alleged Syrian chemical weapons agency and five Syrians

Full details of those targeted were to be placed on&nbsp;the EU official journal later on Monday.

Russian agents have been blamed for the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city in March last year using the Soviet-developed nerve agent Novichok.

The alleged Salisbury attack, the first offensive use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II, caused an international outcry and prompted a mass expulsion of Russian diplomats by Western nations.

The Skripals survived the alleged attack but a woman died in June after her partner picked up a discarded perfume bottle that British investigators believe was used to carry the Novichok.

Russia has denied any involvement in the poisoning and has offered numerous and varied alternative explanations and counter-accusations. 
&nbsp;

Russia on Monday threatened retaliatory measures after the European Union imposed chemical weapons sanctions on nine Russian officials over nerve agent attack. "We reserve the right to take retaliatory measures over this unfriendly step," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Russia on Monday threatened retaliatory measures after the European Union imposed chemical weapons sanctions on nine Russian officials over nerve agent attack. "We reserve the right to take retaliatory measures over this unfriendly step," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. The European Union(EU) had today imposed sanctions on nine Russian officials including the head and the deputy head of the powerful GRU military intelligence agency. It blamed the Russians for "possession, transport and use" of the nerve agent 'Novichok' used in the attack in Salisbury, England last year in March. In addition to an assets freeze and travel ban against Russian officials, the bloc announced sanctions on an alleged Syrian chemical weapons agency and five Syrians Full details of those targeted were to be placed on the EU official journal later on Monday. Russian agents have been blamed for the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city in March last year using the Soviet-developed nerve agent Novichok. The alleged Salisbury attack, the first offensive use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II, caused an international outcry and prompted a mass expulsion of Russian diplomats by Western nations. The Skripals survived the alleged attack but a woman died in June after her partner picked up a discarded perfume bottle that British investigators believe was used to carry the Novichok. Russia has denied any involvement in the poisoning and has offered numerous and varied alternative explanations and counter-accusations.

Russia threatens to retaliate over EU sanctions on Russian officials in nerve attack case

The European Union imposed chemical weapons sanctions on nine Russian and Syrian officials on Monday, including the chief of the powerful GRU military intelligence agency.

The EU blamed the Russians -- two agents and the head and the deputy head of the GRU -- for the "possession, transport and use" of the nerve agent used in the attack in Salisbury, England last March.

In addition to an assets freeze and travel ban for the Russian officials, the bloc announced sanctions on an alleged Syrian chemical weapons agency and five Syrians, EU states said in a statement.

"This decision contributes to the EU's efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons which poses a serious threat to international security," the statement said, after a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Full details of those targeted were to be placed in the EU Official Journal later Monday.

Russian agents have been blamed for the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city in March last year using the Soviet-developed nerve agent Novichok.

The Salisbury attack, the first offensive use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II, caused an international outcry and prompted a mass expulsion of Russian diplomats by Western nations.

The Skripals survived the attack but a woman died in June after her partner picked up a discarded perfume bottle that British investigators believe was used to carry the Novichok.

Moscow denies involvement in the poisoning and has offered numerous and varied alternative explanations and counter-accusations.

The European Union imposed chemical weapons sanctions on nine Russian and Syrian officials on Monday, including the chief of the powerful GRU military intelligence agency.

The European Union imposed chemical weapons sanctions on nine Russian and Syrian officials on Monday, including the chief of the powerful GRU military intelligence agency. The EU blamed the Russians -- two agents and the head and the deputy head of the GRU -- for the "possession, transport and use" of the nerve agent used in the attack in Salisbury, England last March. In addition to an assets freeze and travel ban for the Russian officials, the bloc announced sanctions on an alleged Syrian chemical weapons agency and five Syrians, EU states said in a statement. "This decision contributes to the EU's efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons which poses a serious threat to international security," the statement said, after a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Full details of those targeted were to be placed in the EU Official Journal later Monday. Russian agents have been blamed for the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city in March last year using the Soviet-developed nerve agent Novichok. The Salisbury attack, the first offensive use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II, caused an international outcry and prompted a mass expulsion of Russian diplomats by Western nations. The Skripals survived the attack but a woman died in June after her partner picked up a discarded perfume bottle that British investigators believe was used to carry the Novichok. Moscow denies involvement in the poisoning and has offered numerous and varied alternative explanations and counter-accusations.

European Union sanctions Russia military intel chief, Syrian officials over Skripal

The world's chemical weapons agency on Monday agreed to add Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, used in last year's Salisbury attack against a former Russian agent, to its list of banned substances, diplomats said Monday.

A joint proposal by Canada, the Netherlands and the United States was adopted by the 41-member executive council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, they said.

London blamed Moscow for the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the city of Salisbury, and said Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, was used.&nbsp;

The OPCW executive council agreed to add two families of highly toxic chemicals, including the agent used in Salisbury, to the Chemical Weapons Convention, tweeted Sabine Nolke, Canada's envoy to the OPCW.

"Russia dissociated itself from consensus but did not break. Thanks to all states who supported!" she said.

Member states now have 90 days to object before Novichok is formally added to the list, she said.

The Dutch foreign ministry also confirmed the decision.

British ambassador Peter Wilson said it was a "good start to the OPCW year."

Russia has strongly denied any involvement in the Salisbury attack and insists it has destroyed all of its chemical weapons.

The OPCW has confirmed that Novichok was used in the April attack and that it also poisoned a British couple exposed several months later to a perfume bottle in which the substance was allegedly stored.

British prosecutors have announced charges against two Russian officers of the GRU military intelligence service over the Salisbury attack.

The Netherlands in April last year expelled four alleged GRU agents suspected of trying to hack into the OPCW, using electronic equipment hidden in the boot of a vehicle parked outside a nearby hotel.

The world's chemical weapons agency on Monday agreed to add Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, used in last year's Salisbury attack against a former Russian agent, to its list of banned substances, diplomats said Monday.

The world's chemical weapons agency on Monday agreed to add Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, used in last year's Salisbury attack against a former Russian agent, to its list of banned substances, diplomats said Monday. A joint proposal by Canada, the Netherlands and the United States was adopted by the 41-member executive council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, they said. London blamed Moscow for the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the city of Salisbury, and said Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, was used. The OPCW executive council agreed to add two families of highly toxic chemicals, including the agent used in Salisbury, to the Chemical Weapons Convention, tweeted Sabine Nolke, Canada's envoy to the OPCW. "Russia dissociated itself from consensus but did not break. Thanks to all states who supported!" she said. Member states now have 90 days to object before Novichok is formally added to the list, she said. The Dutch foreign ministry also confirmed the decision. British ambassador Peter Wilson said it was a "good start to the OPCW year." Russia has strongly denied any involvement in the Salisbury attack and insists it has destroyed all of its chemical weapons. The OPCW has confirmed that Novichok was used in the April attack and that it also poisoned a British couple exposed several months later to a perfume bottle in which the substance was allegedly stored. British prosecutors have announced charges against two Russian officers of the GRU military intelligence service over the Salisbury attack. The Netherlands in April last year expelled four alleged GRU agents suspected of trying to hack into the OPCW, using electronic equipment hidden in the boot of a vehicle parked outside a nearby hotel.

Chemical arms group agrees to ban Salisbury attack poison: Diplomats

The chief of Britain's foreign intelligence service warned the Kremlin on Monday not to underestimate the West after a brazen <a href="http://www.wionews.com/europe/british-police-releases-more-video-of-skripal-poisoning-suspects-178878">nerve agent attack on a retired double agent </a>in England stoked fears about Russian covert activity abroad.

In his second major speech since being named in 2014 to head the Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, Alex Younger said Russia has a stance of "perpetual confrontation" with the West.

After the attack on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-not-guilty-of-poisoning-ready-to-cooperate-foreign-minister-35668">Sergei Skripal</a>, a former Russian military intelligence officer who betrayed dozens of agents to MI6, Britain's allies in Europe and the United States took its side and ordered the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War.

Britain identified the nerve agent deployed in the English town of Salisbury as Novichok, a highly potent group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s.

"The Russian state used a military-grade chemical weapon on UK soil," Younger told students at the University of St Andrews in Scotland where he once studied economics and computer science before joining the British army.

"Our intention is for the Russian state to conclude that, whatever the benefits it thinks it is accruing from this activity, they are not worth the risk," he said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russian-denials-of-british-attack-increasingly-absurd-johnson-36366">Moscow has repeatedly denied involvemen</a>t and accused British intelligence agencies of staging the attack to stoke anti-Russian hysteria.

"I should emphasise that even as the Russian state seeks to destabilise us, we do not seek to destabilise Russia. We do not seek escalation," Younger said.

Younger, 55, said that Britain's spies have thwarted multiple Islamic State plots originating overseas.

Less than four months before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union on March 29, Younger said MI6 continues to work with partner agencies to strengthen "indispensable security ties" in Europe.

He said the United Kingdom had helped France and Germany prevent terrorist attacks.

MI6, the home of fictional spies such as John le Carré’s George Smiley and Ian Fleming’s James Bond, has the job of defending Britain, and its interests, abroad.

A career spy who joined MI6 as the Soviet Union was crumbling, Younger stressed the need for espionage to embrace the new.

"The era of the fourth industrial revolution calls for a fourth-generation espionage: fusing our traditional human skills with accelerated innovation, new partnerships and a mindset that mobilises diversity and empowers the young," he said.

In a recruitment pitch, Younger gave some details of his own life, including drinking obscure homemade alcohol in an attempt to penetrate an organisation intent on genocide in the Western Balkans in 1990s.

"If you want to make a difference and you think you might have what it takes, then the chances are that you do have what it takes, and we hope you will step forward."

The chief of Britain's foreign intelligence service warned the Kremlin on Monday not to underestimate the West after a brazen nerve agent attack on a retired double agent in England stoked fears about Russian covert activity abroad.

The chief of Britain's foreign intelligence service warned the Kremlin on Monday not to underestimate the West after a brazen nerve agent attack on a retired double agent in England stoked fears about Russian covert activity abroad. In his second major speech since being named in 2014 to head the Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, Alex Younger said Russia has a stance of "perpetual confrontation" with the West. After the attack on Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military intelligence officer who betrayed dozens of agents to MI6, Britain's allies in Europe and the United States took its side and ordered the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War. Britain identified the nerve agent deployed in the English town of Salisbury as Novichok, a highly potent group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s. "The Russian state used a military-grade chemical weapon on UK soil," Younger told students at the University of St Andrews in Scotland where he once studied economics and computer science before joining the British army. "Our intention is for the Russian state to conclude that, whatever the benefits it thinks it is accruing from this activity, they are not worth the risk," he said. Moscow has repeatedly denied involvement and accused British intelligence agencies of staging the attack to stoke anti-Russian hysteria. "I should emphasise that even as the Russian state seeks to destabilise us, we do not seek to destabilise Russia. We do not seek escalation," Younger said. Younger, 55, said that Britain's spies have thwarted multiple Islamic State plots originating overseas. Less than four months before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union on March 29, Younger said MI6 continues to work with partner agencies to strengthen "indispensable security ties" in Europe. He said the United Kingdom had helped France and Germany prevent terrorist attacks. MI6, the home of fictional spies such as John le Carré’s George Smiley and Ian Fleming’s James Bond, has the job of defending Britain, and its interests, abroad. A career spy who joined MI6 as the Soviet Union was crumbling, Younger stressed the need for espionage to embrace the new. "The era of the fourth industrial revolution calls for a fourth-generation espionage: fusing our traditional human skills with accelerated innovation, new partnerships and a mindset that mobilises diversity and empowers the young," he said. In a recruitment pitch, Younger gave some details of his own life, including drinking obscure homemade alcohol in an attempt to penetrate an organisation intent on genocide in the Western Balkans in 1990s. "If you want to make a difference and you think you might have what it takes, then the chances are that you do have what it takes, and we hope you will step forward."

Don't underestimate Britain's capabilities: UK spy chief warns Russia

The Kremlin said Friday it was difficult to separate truth from fiction in media reports after a respected investigative group revealed the identity of a suspect in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal.

"Over the past months, a lot of news about the Skripals' affair has appeared in British media and media in other countries," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"No one can truly figure out which news is fake and which is true," he told reporters, doubting that it was possible to check the identities of the people mentioned in media reports.

On Wednesday, Bellingcat, the British based investigative group, said that the real name of Ruslan Boshirov, one of the two men accused by British authorities of poisoning Skripal and his daughter Yulia, was Anatoly Chepiga.

The 39-year-old is a military intelligence colonel decorated with the country's top award, the Hero of Russia, Bellingcat said.

The report included a passport photo of Chepiga from 2003 which resembles a younger version of the photo of Boshirov released by British authorities.

Peskov said the Kremlin no longer wanted to discuss the subject with journalists, saying the fact that someone may resemble Boshirov did not prove anything.

"I beg your pardon but we have 10 Stalins and 15 Lenins running around Red Square," Peskov said, referring to street performers impersonating Russia's Soviet leaders.

"They all look extremely similar to the originals."

Peskov also denied that the suspect was awarded the country's top award.

"We have checked it. I have no information about a man with such a name being awarded."

Chepiga was bestowed the Hero of Russia award in 2014 for "conducting a peace-keeping mission," a likely reference to the Ukraine conflict.

Bellingcat said it was "highly likely" that Putin knew Chepiga because he personally hands out these awards.

Only a handful of such awards are given each year, often posthumously.

A respected Russian broadsheet, Kommersant, said Thursday that several residents of a small far eastern village where Chepiga's family used to live, identified him as one of the suspects wanted by Britain.

The Kremlin said Friday it was difficult to separate truth from fiction in media reports after a respected investigative group revealed the identity of a suspect in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal.

The Kremlin said Friday it was difficult to separate truth from fiction in media reports after a respected investigative group revealed the identity of a suspect in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal. "Over the past months, a lot of news about the Skripals' affair has appeared in British media and media in other countries," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "No one can truly figure out which news is fake and which is true," he told reporters, doubting that it was possible to check the identities of the people mentioned in media reports. On Wednesday, Bellingcat, the British based investigative group, said that the real name of Ruslan Boshirov, one of the two men accused by British authorities of poisoning Skripal and his daughter Yulia, was Anatoly Chepiga. The 39-year-old is a military intelligence colonel decorated with the country's top award, the Hero of Russia, Bellingcat said. The report included a passport photo of Chepiga from 2003 which resembles a younger version of the photo of Boshirov released by British authorities. Peskov said the Kremlin no longer wanted to discuss the subject with journalists, saying the fact that someone may resemble Boshirov did not prove anything. "I beg your pardon but we have 10 Stalins and 15 Lenins running around Red Square," Peskov said, referring to street performers impersonating Russia's Soviet leaders. "They all look extremely similar to the originals." Peskov also denied that the suspect was awarded the country's top award. "We have checked it. I have no information about a man with such a name being awarded." Chepiga was bestowed the Hero of Russia award in 2014 for "conducting a peace-keeping mission," a likely reference to the Ukraine conflict. Bellingcat said it was "highly likely" that Putin knew Chepiga because he personally hands out these awards. Only a handful of such awards are given each year, often posthumously. A respected Russian broadsheet, Kommersant, said Thursday that several residents of a small far eastern village where Chepiga's family used to live, identified him as one of the suspects wanted by Britain.

Hard to tell truth from fiction in Skripal affair: Kremlin

Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, who was allegedly poisoned by a nerve agent in Britain almost over a couple of months back, has been discharged from hospital.

66-year-old Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a public bench in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4.

It was found that Skripal and Yulia were poisoned with Novichok, a deadly group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s.

The father-daughter duo was in a critical condition for weeks. Yulia was discharged last month.

"It is fantastic news that Sergei Skripal is well enough to leave Salisbury District Hospital," the hospital's Chief Executive Cara Charles-Barks said in a statement.

Skripal, a former colonel in Russia's military intelligence and his daughter have accused Russia of being behind the nerve agent attack. Kremlin has denied all charges.

Western governments including the United States have expelled over 100 Russian diplomats.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The father-daughter duo was in a critical condition for weeks. Yulia was discharged last month

Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, who was allegedly poisoned by a nerve agent in Britain almost over a couple of months back, has been discharged from hospital. 66-year-old Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a public bench in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4. It was found that Skripal and Yulia were poisoned with Novichok, a deadly group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s. The father-daughter duo was in a critical condition for weeks. Yulia was discharged last month. "It is fantastic news that Sergei Skripal is well enough to leave Salisbury District Hospital," the hospital's Chief Executive Cara Charles-Barks said in a statement. Skripal, a former colonel in Russia's military intelligence and his daughter have accused Russia of being behind the nerve agent attack. Kremlin has denied all charges. Western governments including the United States have expelled over 100 Russian diplomats. (With inputs from Reuters)

Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal discharged from hospital in UK

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Sunday that Russia has been stockpiling the deadly nerve agent used to poison a Russian former double agent in England and has been investigating how such weapons can be used in assassinations.

Britain has said Russia used the Soviet-era nerve agent called Novichok to attack Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the first known offensive use of such a weapon on European soil since World War Two. Russia has denied any involvement.

&quot;We actually have evidence within the last 10 years that Russia has not only been investigating the delivery of nerve agents for the purposes of assassination but has also been creating and stockpiling Novichok,&quot; Johnson told the BBC.

The identification of Novichok as the weapon has become the central pillar of Britain&#39;s case for Russia&#39;s culpability in the poisoning. Britain and Russia have each expelled 23 diplomats over the attack as relations between the two countries reach a post-Cold War low.&nbsp;

Skripal, a former colonel in Russian military intelligence who betrayed dozens of Russian agents to Britain, and his daughter are fighting for their lives after they were found collapsed on a bench in the city of Salisbury two weeks ago.

Officials from the world&#39;s chemical weapons watchdog will arrive in Britain on Monday to investigate the samples used in the attack and the results should be known in about two weeks, Britain&#39;s foreign ministry said.

The foreign ministry said that if Russia has been stockpiling nerve agents this would amount to a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, of which Moscow is a signatory.

Russia&#39;s ambassador to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov told the same programme that his country has destroyed its reserves of such substances and a British research laboratory could be the source of the nerve agent used in the attack.

Johnson dismissed those claims and said Russia&#39;s reaction &quot;was not the response of a country that really believes itself to be innocent&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;Their response has been a mix of smug sarcasm and denial and obfuscation,&quot; he said.

Skripal and his daughter may have been exposed to the nerve agent used in their attempted assassination through his car ventilation system, intelligence sources told the US television channel ABC news.

The sources said the toxin was used in a &quot;dust-like powdered form&quot; and that it circulated through the vents of the car, the channel said.&nbsp;

Johnson said Britain`s National Security Council will meet later this week to decide &quot;what further measures, if any&quot; may be taken, and that the government may decide to target Russian wealth in Britain.

The British capital has been dubbed &quot;Londongrad&quot; due to the large quantities of Russian money that have poured in since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Some British lawmakers have urged Prime Minister Theresa May to freeze the private assets of senior members in Russian President Vladimir Putin&#39;s circle.&nbsp;

Putin is expected to easily win a presidential election on Sunday which would take him to nearly a quarter of a century in power.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Britain has said Russia used the Soviet-era nerve agent called Novichok to attack Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Sunday that Russia has been stockpiling the deadly nerve agent used to poison a Russian former double agent in England and has been investigating how such weapons can be used in assassinations. Britain has said Russia used the Soviet-era nerve agent called Novichok to attack Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the first known offensive use of such a weapon on European soil since World War Two. Russia has denied any involvement. "We actually have evidence within the last 10 years that Russia has not only been investigating the delivery of nerve agents for the purposes of assassination but has also been creating and stockpiling Novichok," Johnson told the BBC. The identification of Novichok as the weapon has become the central pillar of Britain's case for Russia's culpability in the poisoning. Britain and Russia have each expelled 23 diplomats over the attack as relations between the two countries reach a post-Cold War low. Skripal, a former colonel in Russian military intelligence who betrayed dozens of Russian agents to Britain, and his daughter are fighting for their lives after they were found collapsed on a bench in the city of Salisbury two weeks ago. Officials from the world's chemical weapons watchdog will arrive in Britain on Monday to investigate the samples used in the attack and the results should be known in about two weeks, Britain's foreign ministry said. The foreign ministry said that if Russia has been stockpiling nerve agents this would amount to a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, of which Moscow is a signatory. Russia's ambassador to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov told the same programme that his country has destroyed its reserves of such substances and a British research laboratory could be the source of the nerve agent used in the attack. Johnson dismissed those claims and said Russia's reaction "was not the response of a country that really believes itself to be innocent". "Their response has been a mix of smug sarcasm and denial and obfuscation," he said. Skripal and his daughter may have been exposed to the nerve agent used in their attempted assassination through his car ventilation system, intelligence sources told the US television channel ABC news. The sources said the toxin was used in a "dust-like powdered form" and that it circulated through the vents of the car, the channel said. Johnson said Britain`s National Security Council will meet later this week to decide "what further measures, if any" may be taken, and that the government may decide to target Russian wealth in Britain. The British capital has been dubbed "Londongrad" due to the large quantities of Russian money that have poured in since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Some British lawmakers have urged Prime Minister Theresa May to freeze the private assets of senior members in Russian President Vladimir Putin's circle. Putin is expected to easily win a presidential election on Sunday which would take him to nearly a quarter of a century in power.

Britain accuses Russia of secretly stockpiling deadly nerve agent used in attack

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