Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party (Source: AFP/VNA)

Corbyn told the House of Commons that the poisoning of ex-double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia was an “abominable” act that has “rightly been condemned”. But he did not directly blame the Kremlin for the poisoning, and wondered whether Russia might have “lost control” of the nerve agent used, rather than authorising the attack. Prime Minister Theresa May said earlier that Russia is highly likely responsible for poisoning Skripal.

Mr. Corbyn’s spokesman drew attention to the “problematic” history of the British intelligence services, particularly the claims of Iraqi stockpiles of chemical weapons that were used to justify British involvement in the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.