British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said that he would like London to investigate the case of poisoning former Colonel GRU Sergei Skripal along with Moscow. The head of the foreign policy department said this in an interview with the BBC television channel.

However, in the UK, as the minister clarified, they doubt that the Russian authorities, expressing a desire to take part in this investigation, are "sincere in their intentions." "In fact, we have received over the last ten years evidence that Russia is not only investigated the ways of delivery of nerve agents for the purpose of murder, but also created reserves of the "Novice", Johnson assured, stressing that in this regard, London trusts experts of the international Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons more.

First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Jabarov, commenting on Johnson's desire to investigate the "case of Skripal" together with Moscow, in a conversation with RIA Novosti, said that Russia is ready for such cooperation. "We very much believe that London is really ready to provide such access and is ready for such cooperation," added the senator, noting that in Moscow this is seen as "the step of London in normalizing relations" with Russia. "Apparently, they (the British authorities - RBC) really turned their heads on and realized that they were too abruptly taken away. I think it happened because the partners pushed them, "Jabarov said.

He also stressed that the Russian investigators would like to study the samples of the poisonous substance from which the Skripali suffered, and "establish the truth in this matter." "We need any data," the senator concluded.

At the same time, in the State Duma, responding to such statements of London, they noted that the United Kingdom would first have to specify which parts it was going to provide to Russia. "Based on this, the Russian side will have to assess the situation and accept or reject this invitation," said Dmitry Novikov, the first deputy chairman of the lower house of the Russian parliament's lower house for international affairs (quoted by RIA Novosti). "The devil is in the details, if they (the British authorities - RBC) present some conclusions, their only, this is one situation; if they present the whole chain, their investigation, then another situation, "the parliamentarian explained, noting that in the second case" it can be regarded as a kind of goodwill step ". "But still we need to look more closely," added Novikov.

Sergei Skripal, who was accused in Russia of espionage in favor of Great Britain, and his daughter Julia were found unconscious in a park in the British Salisbury on March 4. Later, the doctors found out that the Skripali had been poisoned by a nerve agent. British Prime Minister Teresa Mei then clarified that this was a substance called "Novice". According to the British authorities, it was developed earlier in the USSR and Russia, and in this connection, May said that Russia was involved in the poisoning of Skripal "with greater probability". In Moscow, to comment on this data before the British side provided evidence, as well as access to the investigation of this case refused.

May, despite this, on March 14 announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats from the UK. On March 17, a similar measure was reported in Russia. Also, the Russian side, in connection with the conflict situation, decided to close the British Consulate General in St. Petersburg and stop work in Russia of the British Council, which promoted the country's culture and education in the UK.

"The British hide any information - no one [from Russian diplomats] saw them [the Skripals - RBC], did not talk to the doctors, no one has access to them," Russian ambassador to Britain Alexander Yakovenko commented on the situation. "Everything is covered with absolute secrecy. All the notes received one answer: The violin is in serious condition, "the diplomat noted.

Link:: https://www.rbc.ru/politics/18/03/20...79471bcb044574