Was Boris Johnson Right To Threaten Russia In Such A Way?

[anotheoldgit]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/mar/06/boris-johnson-uk-will-respond-robustly-if-russia-poisoned-spy

[kvalidir]

In fairness , although I'm no Tory fan, what else is he supposed to do? He's the Foreign Secretary (an error in itself in my opinion) so he clearly has to comment, and the only position we can have is that we will not tolerate a foreign power, ANY foreign power, orchestrating a hit on our manor.

[Gromit]

Yes.

He will have more information from the security services than we do, and will have made his assessment on a lot more facts than we have.

If a foreign power is murdering people in the UK, then that is not acceptable.

The Russians bumped off Litvinenko, and there are several other suspicious deaths.

It is the Foreign Secretary’s duty to highlight this and warn a foreign power.

[Old_Geezer]

I'd suggest a response was in order if one's nation is to be taken seriously. And he did say "if". MI5 seems to think the Russians were responsible, according to the Times.

[youngmafbog]

He's between a rock and a hard place on this one.

What he appears to have done is just a bit of sabre rattling though. Nothing really of any substance. Putin will get it, probably ignore it or come back with some equally low level rattling.

It will then all just blow over.

Of course it may not be Putin. This chap must have setup a few of his mates that were than captured and contrary to popular belief our security services also use methods of 'questioning' that are not the 'sit down with a cup of tea' type. So it stands to reason that these ex-colleagues could have done something (even if they were encouraged by Putins words of wisdom on spy's) off their own bat.

[dannyk13]

With the news that his daughter has been speaking out against Putin a Russian involvement seems more likely.

[Jackdaw33]

The man was a spy. If you live by the sword you die by the sword.

[youngmafbog]

Quite JD. He had it coming the moment he was exchanged.

And I am quite sure similar for Western spies found to be double agents. A lifetime of looking over your shoulder waiting.

[gulliver1]

What has he got to threaten them with?

[anneasquith]

I'd like to know what " respond appropriately and robustly " actually means in this scenario from Boris ?

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// If a foreign power is murdering people in the UK, then that is not acceptable. ///

What about a 'foreign' religion?

[youngmafbog]

That's allowed AOG. And you must bend over backwards to accept it to boot.

[Jackdaw33]

I was thinking the same thing. He will call in the Russian ambassador who will laugh in his face. Putin is not a man to be trifled with.

[youngmafbog]

It doesnt mean anything Anne, just sabre rattling.

[ToraToraTora]

better check with agent COB, he's the expert.

[anneasquith]

So empty words from Boris ?

[Gromit]

Sergi Skripal was one of Christopher Steele’s informants. Steele authored the dossier Claiming Trump was compromised by Russia and colluded with them. The dossier (And the FBI inquiry) are an irritant to Putin and the FSB (KGB rebranded).

http://uk.businessinsider.com/sergei-skripal-had-links-to-russia-expert-christopher-steele-2018-3

[Jackdaw33]

Suspecting Russian involvement and proving it are two different things.

[Gromit]

AOG
I think you will find vast amounts of resourses are used to counter Islamic terror. The RAF bomb ISIS/al Qaeda targets in Syria and Iraq. The Government roundly condemn Islamic terrorists.

So I am not sure of your basis for your comparison.

[ToraToraTora]

I see the anti british are already siding with the enemy.