Fallon: Russia To Blame For Syrian Civilian Deaths

The defence secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, has said Russia "is responsible for every death" in last week's chemical attack in Syria - for failing to bring the Assad regime to heel. 

Writing in The Sunday Times, Sir Michael said the gassing of civilians was a "war crime" that had happened on Moscow's watch.

Some 87 people, including children, are believed to have been killed in a suspected sarin nerve agent strike on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun.

US president Donald Trump ordered a strike by 59 cruise missiles on the base he said launched the attack in America's first direct attack against the Syrian government.

It comes as Boris Johnson has pulled out of a visit to Moscow and is trying to win support for a new Western policy to end the six-year civil war in Syria. 

The Foreign Secretary wants the G7 group of countries to press Russia to stop backing the Assad regime, and withdraw its forces.

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has said there can be no political solution to the war in Syria, while President Bashir al-Assad remains in power.

In an interview with CNN, Ms Haley said she thought Mr Assad would be forced from office because all parties to the conflict realised that there was no future for Syria under the president.