Russia accuses Britain of developing chemical weapons
The Russian Embassy in London has released a statement alleging that the head of a the laboratory of the British Ministry of Defense in Porton Down “confirmed the development of poisonous substances”, including the one that was used to poison Sergei Skripal, Russia’s Interfax news agency reports .
According to a Russian Embassy spokesperson, the statements by Gary Aitkenhead, the Chief Executive of the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory in Porton Down who spoke about the laboratory’s high levels of security control measures that would not allow any leaks, de facto confirmed that it is developing and studying new components for warfare agents.
"Indeed, we have noted that statement by the lab’s Chief Executive. This amounts to admitting that the secret facility is a place where new components of military-grade poisons are being researched and developed. Most notably, Mr. Aitkenhead did not deny the existence of chemical weapons stocks. Apparently, they include the A-234 agent that, according to official British statements, was used to poison the Skripals and Sergeant Bailey," the Embassy said.
According to the Embassy, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also hinted that such stocks are available in an interview on March 19.
"These statements leave us with no choice but to reiterate our demand for full information on the Salisbury poisoning investigation to be provided and for the Porton Down military poisons program to be fully disclosed," the Embassy said.
Britain previously accused Russia of secretly developing Novichok gas.
The British Foreign Ministry said earlier that Russian President Vladimir Putin may have given the order to use chemical weapons against former intelligence agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.