NATO Expresses "Strong Support" For UK In Salisbury Poisoning Row

NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has voiced the strong support of the military alliance for the UK in the current row over the Salisbury poisoning.

It comes after National Security Adviser Sir Mark Sedwill briefed NATO states on the UK's intelligence case for viewing Russia as responsible for the attack on Sergei Skripal.

Mr Stoltenberg told BBC Radio 4's Today programme:

"We have no reason to doubt the findings and assessments made by the British Government."

And he added: "The NATO allies express strong political support for the UK. The UK is not alone. All allies stand in solidarity with the UK."

Mr Stoltenberg said:

"I am absolutely certain that Russia has underestimated the resolve and unity of NATO allies."

Russia's ambassador in London Alexander Yakovenko suggested that the British Government was making allegations against Moscow as part of an "anti-Russian campaign" to divert attention from Brexit.

Mr Yakovenko told RT television: "In order to divert attention from Brexit, the UK has to present something to the public to move (the focus) a little bit to the other side."

He added: "Nobody saw even the pictures of these people in a hospital, whether they are alive or maybe they are in good health. Nobody talked to the doctors.

“There is absolutely no transparency in the case.

"We want to clarify all the questions behind this provocation."

In a separate interview with Rossiya 24 TV, Mr Yakovenko said that Russia would exert maximum pressure on the UK over the situation.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson thanked allies for their support, saying:

"It is overwhelmingly clear that this was directed by Russia and we await a serious response from the Russians to that global condemnation.

"I've been very impressed, overwhelmed, by the solidarity countries around the world have shown."