Did Corbyn take his cues from Moscow on spy scandal? How Labour leader's remarks bear a striking resemblance to those from Russian diplomats just hours earlier

  • The Labour leader's comments are similar to those of Alexander Shulgin
  • He's Russia's rep to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
  • Corbyn failed to condemn Russia for the nerve agent attack on ex-KGB officer
  • Was savaged by MPs for his weak response and branded a 'disgrace' to Labour  

By John Stevens for the Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

Jeremy Corbyn's comments in the House of Commons yesterday bore a striking resemblance to remarks made by Russian diplomats just hours earlier. 

Here we reveal the remarkable similarities and ask the question: Did the Labour leader take his cues from Moscow?

1. Ambassador Alexander Shulgin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague on Tuesday: 'We suggest that Britain immediately avail itself of the procedures provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 9 of the Chemical Weapons Convention.'

Jeremy Corbyn in the House of Commons yesterday: 'Has the Prime Minister taken the necessary steps under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to make a formal request for evidence from the Russian government under article 9.2.'

The Labour leader during Prime Minister's Questions, during which he appeared to be taking his lead from Russian diplomats 

The Labour leader during Prime Minister's Questions, during which he appeared to be taking his lead from Russian diplomats 

Is Corbyn taking his lead from Russian diplomats, including Alexander Shulgin, Russia's representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (pictured)

Is Corbyn taking his lead from Russian diplomats, including Alexander Shulgin, Russia's representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (pictured)

2. Ambassador Shulgin: 'A fair warning, we will require material evidence of the alleged Russian trace in this high-profile case.'

Statement from Russian Embassy in London on Tuesday: 'Moscow will not respond to London's ultimatum until it receives samples of the chemical substance to which the UK investigators are referring.'

Mr Corbyn: 'How has she responded to the Russian government's request for a sample of the agent used in the Salisbury attack to run its own tests? Has high-resolution trace analysis been run on a sample of the nerve agent.'

3. Ambassador Shulgin: 'Our British colleagues should recall that Russia and the United Kingdom are members of the OPCW which is one of the most successful and effective disarmament and non-proliferation mechanisms. We call upon them to abandon the language of ultimatums and threats and return to the legal framework of the chemical convention.'

Mr Corbyn: 'Our response as a country must be guided by the rule of law, support for international agreements… So when it comes to the use of chemical weapons on British soil, it is essential that the government works with the UN to strengthen its chemical weapons monitoring system and involves the office of the prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW).'

 

RussiaJeremy Corbyn

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