Russia has responded to Theresa May‘s claim the two suspects in the Salisbury poisoning case were guilty of lying, labelling the prime minister’s comments “unacceptable”.
The British leader said the men had employed “blatant fabrications” when they denied involvement and claimed they visited the city to visit it’s historic cathedral and "world-famous" 123m spire.
But Vladimir Putin‘s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said the Kremlin’s position had “not changed”.
“[We remain] unambiguous, transparent and consistent,” he said.
“It is unacceptable to associate the Russian leadership or government with what went on in Salisbury. More so to blame Russia of lies following a statement by two civilians. These men are ordinary citizens with no relation to government.”
Asked if Mr Putin had watched the widely-ridiculed interview, Mr Peskov said: “I don’t know. It’s unlikely he saw it all. I don’t think he had time ... he has no comment to make.”
The men who identify as Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov are charged with attempting to kill double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with the Soviet-designed nerve agent novichok. The Skripals survived the 4 March attack in Salisbury, but a local resident later died after apparently having contact with the poison.
Mr Petrov and Mr Boshirov appeared on the state-funded RT channel, saying they visited Salisbury as tourists and had nothing to do with the poisoning. They denied the British claim that they were Russian military intelligence officers, saying they work in the nutritional supplements business.
He indicated the Kremlin would not actively assist British investigators to get access to the suspects. They had committed no crime by Russian law, "nor elsewhere in the world"
"It is up to the men if they agree to interview," he said. "We don't organise interviews."
But Mr Peskov said Russian authorities would deal with an application with the UK’s request to interrogate them if it comes — "in strict accordance with agreements." He added that Britain had stonewalled repeated Russian offers to conduct a joint inquiry.
“There is a mechanism of legal assistance regulated by bilateral documents and international law,” Mr Peskov told reporters.
The UK said the attack received approval “at a senior level of the Russian state”, an accusation Moscow has fiercely denied.
