Father-in-law of poisoned sergeant attacks Corbyn's 'mealy mouthed' response defending Russia instead of 'representing people like me'

  • William Pomeroy lays into Jeremy Corbyn for refusing to blame Russia for attack
  • His daughter Sarah is married to DS Nick Bailey, who is seriously ill in hospital 
  • The son of a South Wales miner said he was 'very disappointed' in his response 
  • He said of Corbyn: 'He should be representing ordinary people like me.' 

Wiltshire Police officer DS Nick Bailey

Wiltshire Police officer DS Nick Bailey

The father-in-law of the police officer struck down by the deadly nerve agent used to poison a Russian spy has slammed Jeremy Corbyn's response to the attack.

William Pomeroy, whose daughter Sarah is married to Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey branded the Labour leader 'mealy mouthed.'

Corbyn received a barrage of criticism when he raised doubts over whether Russia was to blame for the poisoning in Salisbury.

He has refused to lay the blame on Vladimir Putin's regime, and suggested the attack involving nerve agent Novichok could have been carried out by Russian mafia.

Mr Pomeroy, the son of a South Wales miner, and a life-long Labour supporter told the Daily Telegraph: 'I'm very disappointed in Mr Corbyn.

'He has been a bit mealy-mouthed about Russia's involvement.

'He should be representing ordinary people like me.' 

He spoke out as fears mounted for DS Bailey's family, after the army and police sealed off his home in the Dorset village of Alderholt yesterday. 

They removed two family cars from Wiltshire Police officer's property which raised the prospect he may have carried traces of the nerve agent home.

Mr Pomeroy hit out at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who refused to blame Russia for attack

Mr Pomeroy hit out at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who refused to blame Russia for attack

The 38-year-old officer, who is still seriously ill in hospital, was the first on the scene to attend to stricken ex Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia in Salisbury town centre.

He was initially discharged from Salisbury hospital after a check up, only to be readmitted later.

It is not yet known whether he was exposed to traces of the chemical when he tried to help, or if he came into contact with it in the maroon BMW in which the Skripals drove to Salisbury.

Mr Pomeroy, 65, said his son in law was recovering and talking to his wife, but was 'not out of the woods' yet.

He added: 'He's got such a sense of duty. He went to help those people without hesitating.'

The armed forces and emergency services swooped on Alderholt in Dorset this morning

The armed forces and emergency services swooped on Ds Bailey's home in Alderholt in Dorset

Two large Army low loaders and a crane escorted by police arrived in the village this morning, and were believed to have taken DS Bailey's vehicle awa t of the Salisbury probe

Two large Army low loaders and a crane escorted by police arrived in the village and were believed to have taken DS Bailey's vehicle away

Corbyn's refusal to blame Russia is likely to anger Labour MPs. Several have defied his statements and come out in support of Mrs May.

Yesterday, 18 MPs signed a motion declaring they 'unequivocally' believed Russia was behind the attack.