Video
PMQs: Keir Starmer tells Boris Johnson to ‘check the record’ over Russian interference claims
Boris Johnson is criticised by Keir Starmer over the Russia report at PMQs. Photograph: Parliament TV. - Credit: Archant
Sir Keir Starmer slammed Boris Johnson over suggestions he had not spoken out against the Sailsbury poisonings, telling the PM to 'check the record' during Prime Minister's Questions.
Johnson accused the leader of the opposition of 'sitting on his hands' when it came to commenting on the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury last year.
Answering why he had taken so long to release the Russia report, Johnson said: 'Actually Mr Speaker, when I was foreign secretary, we had taken the strongest possible action against Russian wrongdoing, orchestrating the expulsion of 153 Russian diplomats around the world.
You may also want to watch:
'The right and honourable gentleman opposite sat on his hands and said nothing while the Labour party parroted the line of the Kremlin when people of this country were poisoned by the orders of Vladimir Putin.'
Most Read
- 1 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 2 European parliament agrees to add British overseas territories to post-Brexit tax haven blacklist
- 3 Telegraph columnist blames Angela Merkel for Brexit
- 4 Minister terminates interview after suggesting public's age and weight to blame for UK's high death toll
- 5 Boris Johnson to visit Scotland this week in attempt to shore up the union
- 6 This picture of Boris Johnson on the phone to Joe Biden has caused a stir
- 7 Brexiteer calls for UK to save Eurostar - by buying it and renaming it 'Britstar'
- 8 Petition launched to cancel 'festival of Brexit' event in 2022
- 9 Brussels to launch campaign teaching younger Britons about the EU
- 10 Piers Morgan defends interview with Thérèse Coffey after accusations of 'bullying'
Sir Keir fired back: 'Mr Speaker, I stood up and condemned what happened in Salisbury and I supported the then prime minister on record.'
'I ask the prime minister to check the record and withdraw that. I was very, very clear.'
He reiterated he was 'absolutely clear' in condemning Russian aggression in Salisbury, adding he was previously involved in bringing proceedings against Russia on behalf of the family of poisoning victim Alexander Litvinenko.
He went on to ask about delays in bringing forward new security legislation, to which Boris Johnson insisted new laws are coming in connection with espionage, theft of intellectual property and sanctions.
The leader of the opposition accused the government of not 'even having its eye on the pitch' concerning the threat Russia posed to UK national security.
'The [Russia] report was very clear that the government badly underestimated the Russian threat and the response required.
'It's still playing catch up. The government has taken its eye off the ball, arguably, it didn't even have its eye on the pitch.'
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
