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RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER Sergei Lavrov has suggested that the poisoning of a former double agent could benefit the British government by distracting attention from problems around Brexit.
The 4 March attack on Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury has triggered a wave of tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats between the West and Russia and sent relations plunging to new post-Cold War lows.
“This could be in the interests of the British government which found itself in an uncomfortable situation having failed to fulfil promises to its electorate about the conditions for Brexit,” Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow.
Lavrov also suggested that the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter “could also be in the interests of the British special forces who are known for their abilities to act with a licence to kill”.
“There could be a whole number of reasons and none of them can be ruled out,” Lavrov said.
Britain has said it was “highly likely” that Russia was responsible for the attack using a nerve agent developed in the USSR, a view backed up by its Western allies.
But Russia denies any involvement and has called for Britain to give it access to the nerve agent used.
Lavrov insisted that “serious experts “and “leaders of a whole number of countries” are questioning Britain’s account of the crime.
“Britain, I think, will not manage to evade answering these questions. Because they are already only too obvious and it’s only too obvious that our British colleagues have lost their sense of reality.”
Lavrov complained that the British authorities have still not give consular access to “our citizens,” and that the situation had not changed despite Yulia Skripal’s improved condition.
He said he hoped Sergei Skripal would “also follow this example” and get better.
Lavrov also denied the attack was “sophisticated,” saying that if it had been, the victims would have died immediately.
“If I understand correctly, sophisticated attacks usually lead to instant death,” he said.
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Very good point by the Russians. Our own government release stories here to cover up other bad news stories ably assisted by the national broadcaster and others.
@F. Wood: weird how the two highest posts are both pro-russian fake accounts who appeared within minutes of the article being posted.
@Seán Ó Briain: By your own logic you are a fake pro-Brexit troll.
@Andy K: Not by his own logic at all but cheers for highlighting your own total lack of it.
@Andy K: What’s the weather like in Moscow?
@Seán Ó Briain: as always Sean. The Russian bots are soon swarming over any article about Russia. And then they go like like like
@Seán Ó Briain: Whatever. Do you think we all voting it up are “Russian bots “?
The article makes sense. Cui Bono is the first rule, and so far we see a distraction to failing Brexit negotiations. The 2nd rule is who does not gain, but loses, which is of course Russia. Football WM. Not hard to calculate, before the event. Another potential beneficiary is Ukraine if it goes to war against its eastern part where the inhabitants are fighting to be independent. With Russia blamed by 90% of European countries for Skipral, making it a “bad boy”, it is the best argument Ukraine will have to be believed if their tanks go in to “liberate” the East, responding to next false flag attack. Ukraine is apparently about to get deliveries of substantial amounts of Weapons from the US now. It is like Russia would arm Cuba. Hopefully, I am wrong.
@Andy K: I’m not an anonymous account. I post my opinions online with my real name. It’s easy to verify I’m a real person. So no, by my own logic I’m not a fake anything. Nice try.
@Sten Bsell: It is well established that there is a Russian troll farm that floods russia-related articles not just on here, but on websites around the world. I’ve never made the claim that every single vote or post in support of the Russian narrative is a bot and to say so is a straw man argument.
However, I will calling like I see it. A large proportion of these accounts are fake. It’s easy to tell. Newly created accounts that appear within minutes of the article being posted, pushing a very specific agenda to support russian and create doubt about everyone else.
@Seán Ó Briain: The Russians are going mad to win over the hearts and minds of the irish public. Because they know how powerful and influential we are in international politics.
@Seán Ó Briain: Yeah because Russia is ‘so concerned’ about what gets published on The Journal. I’d say they have a huge team dedicated to Ireland in general.
@Seán Ó Briain: NATO has an arm called CSIS “Center for Strategic & International Studies”. As far as I can see the CSIS is extremely busy spreading propaganda about a Russian threat. The Russians have willingly allowed the former Warsaw pact to disintegrate while NATO has managed to “shift” the countries to the West and installed missiles along the countries borders to Russia. “Defense” missiles that can be changed to Attack as soon as an attack is regarded as the best defense. It is very similar to when Soviet installed missiles on Cuba in the 1960′s, but here the missiles are much closer to Russia and spread out all across its Western borders.
So who is the threat for who? Russia is also a capitalistic state today, but I agree there are differences. GMO and glyphosate, the unknown toxic and the known toxic, are banned in Russia. Just like most environmentalists here would want to ban them. That is a major blow for the US that the Worlds leading wheat exporter has banned both US prime agricultural export products, and still is able to be the world leader in important agribusiness. Russia is a major energy exporter and has now also paid back all the debts that Jeltsin quickly rolled up after the fall of communism. IMF was asked to close their office in Moscow because of no further demand. All this while the US is continuing to be the most indebted country in the world, while Russia is investing in Gold, something Fort Knox is said to have lots of but no independent inspections allowed. With the enormous resources of Nickel, important for coming electric vehicles, and a sea of other natural resources in the world’s largest country, the west sees only the strongman Putin who managed to put and hold it together as the only obstacle to “take over”, like they did in Irak and Libya, allowing the big corporations to go in also there. Hence the accusations of Russias involvement in the poisoning case just before the Russian election can be seen as an attempt to destabilize Russia, by unknown agents, if they were blamed for it. Apparently, it backfired as the Russian support for Putin increased instead.
In regard to “well established Russian troll farm”, the concept of it is as well established as any accepted truth here. Yet it is as unproven as WMDs, Uranium, and support to Al Qaeda was in 2003., and also, to reconnect, as to who the perpetrators of the recent poisoning in Salisbury are.
It’s nice to hear the truth from a Russian politician for once.
@Jack Jackson: I’ll set aside the fact that you’re a fake account, brexit isn’t going away soon. The idea that Britain would use an illegal nerve agent to deflect from it momentarily while there’s still years more to come to discuss brexit is preposterous.
@Seán Ó Briain: The idea that Russia would use a nerve agent in a failed assassination attempt is even more preposterous.
Hence the UK have not released and results or given a sample to an independent testing authority.
@Seán Ó Briain: yes, a lot of comments on the Journal are from fake Russian bot accounts, particularly obvious in news stories critical of Russian. If you click on them you see they delete their twitter of Facebook account just after commenting.
@Seán Ó Briain: In fairness they have done worse.
@Brian harris: see this “Brian Harris” guy, he made a comment and deleted his twitter account in 5 minutes. It’s possible the one or two Russian operatives are assigned to the Journal comments section today, they increase their visibility by creating multiple temporary accounts.
They are also lying. The UK handed over samples to the OPCW for independent testing.
@Seán Ó Briain: A fake account? It’s clear from that statement that you just repeat phrases that you heard from someone else. It is a real account….contact Facebook!!! Just because I don’t use Facebook and I set an account up for commenting doesn’t mean it’s fake so grow up.
Where did I say Brexit is going away? That’s correct……I didn’t.
If you really think governments don’t use stories to deflect attention away from their own unresolved domestic issues then you need a lesson on the basics of human nature.
You appear to be feeding on uninformed and real “fake” information to back up you ingrained opinions…….the truth is the UK hasn’t proved sweet puck all…….But I get it……you thrive on the fantasy!!
@Andy K: haven’t they tried it before ?
British Authorited (of WMD fame) have spun so many tales about this that it is now clear they are lying.
@James Le Fleur: There is only one story that I am aware of. It was the Russians that used a Russian Nerve Agent to try and kill a Russian Spy.
Now the Russians on the other hand have put out 21 different versions of what happened.
@Mick Jordan: the Brits have put forth more possible outcomes than a game of cluedo! First it was the supermarket, then a park bench then their car door or hall door. Initially it was “novichok” but now not so. They are all over the shop.
@Mick Jordan: Have the English provided any evidence yet? It’s more than a little suspicious that the Russian request for a sample of the nerve agent used, as set out in agreed protocols, has been denied by the English. Whatever happen to ‘innocent until proven guilty’.
@James Le Fleur: The motive nor the suspect has never changed. What you are referring to is the Where they were likely poisoned. And that had to be done by a process of elimination. So in reality the UK version has been consistent throughout unlike the Russians who have blamed everyone from the UK to the Ukrainians.
@James Le Fleur: What is clear is that nothing is as yet, clear. However, if you wish to believe his quote that “Sophisticated attacks usually lead to sudden death”, one may draw some assumption he is knowledgeable in these matters.
@Mick Jordan: Oh even Skripal himself according to one Putonbot. “Suicide gone wrong” *facepalm*
@Ixion99: Which would make yours equally useless. Fine logic, comrade.
@Mick Jordan: Why would they be so stupid to leave the evidence so apparent?
@George Hogan: They currently have the OPCW scientists analysing the substance. Another 2 weeks possibly. What protocol are you referring to that deems the Russian Government should be given a sample ?
This is a matter of life and death, distant from rigging Olympic blood test cover ups.
@George Hogan: Why should they cooperate with the Kremlin? Remind us where Lugovoy is still hiding over 10 years after poisoning Litvinenko.
@James Le Fleur: That’s some suspect use of the English language there, comrade.
@Ixion99: I don’t really care what you think.
Usually a good practice to ask during an investigation who benefits…..
Clearly Russian is not benefitting – and easily predictable.
Who wants to further isolate Russia?
Who wants to disrupt World Cup?
Who is currently in middle of massive Russia conspiracy theory about US election?
Who is leaving EU and desperate for distraction for electorate?
Who wants to unite the UK against common “enemy”?
Etc etc
No evidence so far – everything is speculation – even the claims from UK.
Don’t add up – most deadly nerve agent in world…..also traceable to Russia (too convienient)
Most deadly nerve agent – doesn’t work – allows walking having dinner – drinks etc….and one person recovers
Wtf?
@wattsed: Chemical Weapons Convention. We can’t be judge and jury against a sovereign State based on say-so and innuendo. It is shocking to see how the English have pushed their anti-Russia agenda WITHOUT proof. We all know how politically driven the English judicial system can be. Time is running out on this, we need some actual proof at this stage.
@Ixion99: No one has linked Brexit to this story other than the Kremlin, its shills and other useful idiots. Because Brexit has NOTHING to do with this story other than a chance to deflect from the discussion.
@James Le Fleur: Even blaming corbyn for not agreeing with the narrative. corbyn wouldn’t side with putins capitalism in the first place.
@Derek Teeling: One could ask the same question of the Litvinenko poisoning. Why did they use a radioactive substance that could be traced back to a particular reactor in Russia. And to everywhere the two Russian agents were the entire time the were in the UK. And the answer I would give you is, it sends a message. No point in going to all that trouble if nobody gets the message and who it was from.
What Russia did not plan on was the reaction it got from the rest of the Western World. They thought that because of Brexit the UK had isolated itself and the West would shrug it’s shoulders, say a few platitudes to the UK and nothing more. But using Nerve Agent was a step to far and they mis-calculated.
@George Hogan: Then tell the OPCW to hurry up, it’s independent of all goverments, how dare they keep us waiting whilst they carry out their analysis. The English judicial system are not involved in this, never have been. The police have. British and other governments (that’s the democratically elected ones), make judgement on behalf of their citizens, whether you or I approve or not. Time is running out, why ? – because you want closure ? – incidentally, no country can veto the conclusions of the OPCW, not the UK, not the US, not Russia.
Just a thought, what would you suggest should happen if the OPCW determine the nerve agent came from a military Russian facility ?
Hypothetically of course.
@HelloGoogleTracking: Excellent logical points!!
@James Le Fleur: the poison was on the door handle of Sergei Skripal’s home. That’s where they first picked up the toxin. They then spread the contamination to everything they later touched. That’s why there’s a trail of contamination of the car, the pub, the restaurant and park bench.
@Harry Whitehead: Surely, if the English are interested in resolving this incident, they must cooperate with Russia. It is precisely its non-cooperative approach which is leading people to consider that perhaps the English are responsible for the entire incident. English and British self-image has taken quite a battering with the consistency of its back-stepping on all things Brexit. Nothing like a ‘threat’ to keep the home fires burning and bolster the British sense of community in an era of such social division in Britain.
@Ixion99: and yours does ?
@Ixion99: you make no sense
@wattsed: Your unquestioning belief in England’s position on this whole saga is naive at best. Personally, I choose to retain my right to question those who make unqualified assertions. I’m neither pro-Russian nor pro-British and for that reason, I believe my unprejudiced enquiry seeking to establish guilt before placing blame to be an appropriate stance. After all, it’s a central tenet of English law: presumed innocent until guilt is proven (or until the powers that be need a fall-guy!)
@Mick Jordan: absolutely correct.
@HelloGoogleTracking: “usually a god practice in an investigation..who benefits”
Clearly Putin benefitted he got the +70% turnout he needed to go someway to ‘legitimize’ the recent election, to the Russian public, Salisbury showed Putin as a tough godfather type who would not let traitors away with spying on Russia. The diplomatic expulsions also triggered the Russian victim mentality so as the public would rally around him as their great tough leader. Putin clearly benefitted from the Salisbury incident.
@George Hogan: Then patience is what you need. None of us have seen the evidence presented to other governments. Are you suggesting that governments around the world have listened to the UK and acted upon “unqualified assertions” ?
Now that would be naive, if not downright stupid.
@wattsed: @wattsed: @wattsed: There would be absolutely no reason for England to withhold evidence if they had any. Evidence is a prerequisite for allocating blame in any civilised society. Rather unwisely, the international community have sided with England’s unsubstantiated claim of wrong-doing by the Russian State. The reasons for this are many, including Russia’s annexation of Crimea and Russian interference in various elections. Wouldn’t it have been wiser for England to have got the results from the OPCW before blaming the Russian State. Let’s all wait and see what evidence emerges and not jump the gun as the English have done.
@David Jordan: Wild speculations. With such a strong nerve poison that has been claimed they would not have managed to get far from that door! The police officer that is said to have started assisting them is said to have been injured just by being near them. And what about 20 others initially taken care of? Nothing more about them.
The door traces may be an alternative poisoning trap in case other(s) failed. Or a red herring in case other information about the restaurant visit emerges, then implicating UK.
@Sten Bsell: The Officer didn’t fall sick until much later and he would have only gotten trace amounts. A Powder on its own wouldn’t penetrate the skin unless there was an opening such as a scratch. But diluted with sweat or from condensation on an object such as glass it would be absorbed through the skin into the blood stream. And the fact that both victims were found with the same symptoms at the same time (shortly after leaving the Pub) would suggest that the powder on their hands got its dilution from the condensation on their drinks glasses. Thus allowing its absorption through the dermal layers into their blood stream.
@Mick Jordan: you are still.making the argument that it was the most toxic nerve agent russia had yet north Korea managed to take a guy out in less than 60 minutes in an airport and still get away with it. I mean it when i say it, you guys are unbelievable. According to british military intelligence, the Russian version is 4 times mote toxic. But hey, if your british| FG press office orders you to support the hypothesis that the russians did it, then you guys are unashamedly are just working to get paid for propganda tbat you know is not true. You and your chums must earn a good wage at our expense.
@Cal Mooney: The NK Chemical Weapon was a Liquid. It was rubbed in his face, eyes and mouth using cloths soaked in it and as such would have been absorbed very quickly. The Skripal’s were poisoned with a powder put on the door handle and thus would have been on the palm of their hands. Now I have described above the way their skin would absorb said powderd chemical agent. And thus the delay in its absorption.
As this whole story came out I found it very suspicious that the daughter of a traitor was in a relationship with a fsb agent……now she has fully recovered but her father hasnt ….well I suppose that’s just a mere coincidence
Yehhh!!! Like Bexit isn’t going to run for another Year. That bird simply doesn’t fly.
Look at all the new accounts sans profile pics!!
@Philip G Roark: they’re obviously Russian bot accounts. They make a few pro-Russia comments and then delete their twitter or Facebook account.
@David Jordan: There is a Job for the Journal Staff to do. Seek out any FB or Twitter account that has joined then been deleted and ban them. And do it every time the same happens.
@Mick Jordan: I agree with you Mick. The Journal needs to man up and take some responsibility for allowing this
@Mick Jordan: they can’t ban fake accounts, created for making a single comment. Better to impose an age limit on accounts, that only at least two week old or a month old accounts are allowed to comment. That’s how it’s done on other websites, especially on content that attracts bots.
Reddit had problems with Turkish bot accounts spamming news stories critical of Turkey. The problem was mostly fixed by banning new accounts.
@Mick Jordan:
Yes only bots support fairness / due process / point out obvious suspicious and unsupported conclusions / lack of evidence / contradictions of values we are suppose to share
Also no one remembers the lies and deception / misinformation / disinformation / propaganda in lead up to Iraq war ….
And we all trust May – and the blatantly dodgy way this entire affair is playing out……
Pathetic – you are biased, prejudiced, and apparently hold no values that you apply fairly – different standards / rules / laws as you see fit…..
Complete hypocrisy – empty of critical thought / just blind following of official propaganda line…..
Evidence first and foremost – transparent and conclusive or not – and explanations of all aspects that make NO SENSE
@Ixion99: The Britbots are exaggerating the extent of the fake issue – my investigation suggests there are only(!) three fake accounts in this section of this thread – and no, I’m not one of them!
But you are!!
Which doesn’t mean what you say is wrong.
@HelloGoogleTracking: And what pray tell has your little rant got to do with deleated FB and Twitter accounts?
@Mick Jordan:
Just pointing out the obvious diversionary tactic – accusing anyone who does not buy the “official propaganda agenda” of being a bot????
Smacks of desperation and paranoia – and blind to the actual Facts.
No objective analysis of the facts so far allows the UK narrative any credibility…..
How did Yulia recover? Any answers?
How did they walk all over town, eat lunch etc….after coming into contact with the worlds deadliest nerve agent (which kills in minutes)??? Any answers?
How has it been identified?
Why was “or similar nerve agent” removed from coverage and consideration?
Stinks obvious to anyone objective …. no need for “bots”
Always handy to have a bogey man….also great for government under siege and being destroyed at polls due to Brexit incompetence…
@HelloGoogleTracking: No diversion. Just pointing out that there is Zero reason for deleting a FB/Twitter a/c after joining the Journal.
@HelloGoogleTracking: It would take time of the substance especially, a dry substance to seep through the dermal layers and enter the blood stream. A liquid would have reacted quicker but would have been noticed immediately on the skin.
@Mick Jordan: Mick, yourself, Harry, Michael Farrelly operate like a joint team. You have each appeared on every article that support Nato or anti russian articles, in a very similar way flys appear at dung mounds. I know at least two if you operate from england. You accused me of being a russian troll 2 weeks ago. Why cant yiu accept this is a british false flag event. Its the most logical scenario.
@Cal Mooney: I don’t speak for the other people you have mentioned nor do they speak for me. I have been commenting regularly on the Journal for over 5 years. My FB account has been active eleven longer. So I would have nothing to fear from a check by the Journal staff for fake accounts.
@Mick Jordan: facebook did not exist in the 1990s, so i call bullcrap on that one. But the 4 of you have littered every article on this story from tbe first night. That cannot be a coincidence
Harry is based in London. 1 of the other three are also england based. You dont think that looks like trolling? You personally made comments about my partner. None of tbis happens on normal articles. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck ..
@Cal Mooney: 90′s where did I mention the 90′s? Say No to Drugs Cal. They are messing with your cognitive abilities.
@Mick Jordan:
Oh so now you are an expert in the most mysterious unknown “apparently” nerve agent – only referenced by some guy trying to sell his book….
And he included all formulas etc in a public book !!!
Apparently kills in between 30 seconds to 2 minutes – either via skin / inhalation / mucus
Also suppose to be massively debilitating – any survived would have horrendous handicaps
Now people survived contact for hours – and so far one has made perfect recovery.
This adds up for you?
@HelloGoogleTracking: Its obvious. Which penetrates skin quicker. Liquids or Powders? Science would tell us that a liquid or gel substance will be absorbed through the skin much faster than a powder which unless you had a cut or scratch would need sweat or some other liquid such as condensation on a cold glass to assist with absorption. Use a small bit of logical thought every now and then. You will find it goes a long way.
@Mick Jordan:
If slowed down by the skin it would be at the slower end of the scale for the most lethal nerve agent ever “allegedly” produced.
The slower end of the scale is 2 minutes.
Now please provide details / references / science of why you believe it would take many hours – including eating a meal, walking for miles, rubing their faces / eyes etc….all of which if any entered mucus membranes / ingested – would have killed in 30 seconds.
Any unlikely survived would be seriously disabled for life.
But none of the above happened – please explain – without magic or non sense.
Some science or reference – most nerve agents (10 times less potent than novachok) – would have been easily absorbed thro skin and killed …..
@HelloGoogleTracking: What do you fail to understand ‘re skin absorption? For it to work it has to enter the body. Now it wasn’t injected, the fastest route into the blood system, it wasn’t inhaled in Gas form, liquid mist/fog form or in powdered dust form. So that leaves via skin absorption.
Now we know that human skin is a very effective barrier to even the finest dust particles. But dilute that dust/powder in a liquid and it can be effectively penetrate the dermal layers of the skin and enter the blood stream. We know shortly after the pair left the Pub that both were found in the park. Now what common denominator would cause both of them to go down at the same time. One would assume both had a cold drink in the pub. And what do you get on a cold glass in a warm pub. Condensation.
@Mick Jordan: yeah, i still call bs on your claim you joined facebook in 2001. Facebook didnt go out until 2204/ 2005. You had your opportunity to retract your original post under the guise of a genuine mistake after beiing called on it you chose to cintinue to pusdh your lies. So you showed yourself as untrustworthy. I will always reference this lie every time you lie again to people on this site. Its a bit like your lie that england doesnt import gas from russia. When will you stop.
@Cal Mooney: Yes I’m a Londoner, Wally. So what? Is it illegal/immoral for English people to read Irish media? I’ve never hidden this or denied it, in fact I’ve even corrected people who assumed I was Irish. My Twitter account is under my real name and yes that’s my mug as my avatar – I look ‘ethnic’ because my mother is Latin American. Try looking closer to home if you want to find fake profiles. How would you know I’ve been on all these articles if you weren’t also on all of them? Hypocrisy much?
@Cal Mooney: Again where did I mention 2001? Stay away from those drugs. You are seeing things that are not there. Or are you working so many different forums that you are confusing yourself as to who you are responding to?
@Mick Jordan: read your own comments (3 mick jordan comments back up) and see your own lies. You claim to have joined fascebook multiple times before the year it started. That shows your account is probably being operated by.agents.
@Cal Mooney: I suggest you read it again. I stated that I have been posting on the Journal for over 5 years and have my FB account longer than that. So 2018 – 5 = 2013 and opened my FB account several years before that. Nowhere did I mention the 90′s or 2001. So you have shown yourself once again to be an utter Imbicile.
@Mick Jordan: mick you said you opened you fb account 11 years before you opened you journal account.
@Cal Mooney: Cal. Does it say “Years” after eleven? Have you ever heard of a thing called predictive text. Most phones have it. What I said was that I have been on the Journal for 5 years and “even” longer on Facebook. But as I couldn’t edit it left it as is. Now I could have corrected you the first time you mentioned the 90′s but because you had jumped before looking and shot your load, I said to myself I would continue to let you show yourself to be an Imbicile. I even asked you to read it again and still you didn’t catch the sentence that there was no mention of years after eleven.
I wonder how many of you would have the same predudices if this had happened in say Gothenburg Sweden or Arnhem in Holland or in Florence Italy. It it just that your problem is it happened in the UK?
@Mick Jordan: “You can never trust those Swedes! Just look at how IKEA instruction manuals have been deceiving and infuriating Irish citizens for years! Viking b*stards!”
@Mick Jordan:
Maybe the Swedes would have an open trustworthy and evidence based investigation.
Perhaps they would also follow protocol and international values such as innocent until proven guilty
Also their intelligence services wouldn’t have a record of being lap dogs to national policy – backing invasions against international law and falsifying intelligence and evidence – and drawi conclusions not supported at all.
People remember Iraq – and the UK’s long shady history of lies and disregard for truth – when they want to exploit another country or crush civil rights movements – or kill / assassinate / collude with extreme paramilitaries to execute solicitors / civil rights activists.
Murdering a Russian ex spy to point finger at Russia is perfectly plausible
@HelloGoogleTracking: one day, just maybe, you and a good few others will put aside your obsessive hatred of all things British and start to take a reasoned stance on what’s going on in the world.
Ireland could stand at the back of the pack, stay out of any issues that might lead to you standing up for what’s right or wrong. If you do then eventually the chickens will come home to roost whether you like it or not.
Presumably though you’d prefer to live in a totalitarian state like Russia where a forum like this wouldn’t even exist.
@HelloGoogleTracking: So basicly you are admitting your entire stance has nothing to do with what Russia did but as to where it happened. Your own anti UK predudices driving your narrative.
@Mick Jordan:
No I am saying relevant critical information like the recent history of unsupported intelligence claims – relying on “trust” were outright intentional deception of people – cynically designed to justify a war of aggression on another sovereign state
A rogue illegal action against international law – and without UN mandate.
This is relevant context when considering another “secret” conclusion of UK intelligence.
Also when other factors – like no evidence – huge logical holes in narrative – refusal to ask questions – one way street media bias and journalistic nihilism.
It stinks to high heaven of set up – staged action – to raise UK profile internationally and help May at home – when the entire country was turning against her.
Sweden wouldn’t behave like that..UK would
@Mick Jordan: Mick, look how many mahor lies tbe brits have told the world in the last 20 years. Look at Yemen, Libya today, all thanks to lies of the brits.
@Cal Mooney: So it’s a case of “the enemy of my enemy must therefore be my friend”.
@Cal Mooney: And what has the UK got do do with Yemen today? If you want to go down the Arms sale route you might want to have a look at the Russian arms sales. The most common weapons used by both sides are Russian made, the ammo used is Russian made.
As for Libya was it not the Libyan people themselves that were the main force on the ground fighting Gaddafi and his mainly mercenary army? And what lies did the UK tell about Libya? Did they deny that they were giving air cover?
@Mick Jordan:
If the UK was accused by Russia with the exact same vacuum of evidence – and obvious bias and convienient – I would be arguing the same on behalf of the UK.
Due process, evidence, values and principles of fairness, transparency, honesty, innocence until proven etc…..
I would apply same to US, Israel, China….any European neighbor….etc….
Or any individual – if something is completely wrong and against all principles I will say so.
Irrespective of you “tribalism” and Cold War mentality……and blatant deliberate refusal to consider it or think logically or objectively.
Not bad for the price of arms manufacturers stock either.
@George Costanza:
Except this nerve agent – apparently stock have collapsed based on how ineffective it is :)
Off course it’s fake news put out by British intelligence
I guess as T May doesn’t have an official propaganda body like Leo she has to get MI5 to improvise for her.
You can always believe what the Russians say.
None of their athletes were guilty of doping. It’s a conspiracy to discredit them.
None of their soldiers went into Crimea unbadged.
None of Putin’s mates became billionaires as their gas and oil was sold to them for a pittance.
They never interfered in the US elections.
They’ve never interfered in a european election.
They’re fecking saints!
@Philip Exley: Much of the same could be said of the English. Not sure what your point is?
Agreed, and I’m unanimous on that…..
I don’t even read the journal stories anymore reading bots and fake accounts arguing with each other is far more entertaining.
Interesting that there are two comments about Diarmuid Connolly from Russian trolls on this article. They must sit down together and decide to talk about something completely irrelevant as some sort of deflection strategy. It’s so obvious and actually hilarious.
@Michael farrelly: For God sake Mick – you are obsessed!
Clearly this was the work of the Chinese – everything points to it.
Absolutely agree feeds into the ‘we will be an Empire again’ narrative
It must be the Russians that are spreading rumours about Diarmuid Connolly taking a rest from football as well. What scandal will they spread next?
The simplest explanation is usually the correct one.
Thinking that the UK would attempt to kill a Russian with a Russian nerve agent to deflect focus from brexit is beyond stupid. The amount of risk and the fact that it wouldnt distract at all from brexit means it was either an amazingly stupid plan by the UK.
Or maybe the Russians did it, not expecting to be found out.
@Michael O’Neill: I don’t doubt it was the Russians to be honest. The UK government may have capitalised on the whole thing but in the long run it doesn’t change anything about Brexit. Negotiations aren’t affected. The EU isn’t changing it’s position as a result. Things are moving on as they have done. If there has been a public distraction temporarily it’s not been very effective. People are still keenly aware of what’s around the corner and the potential impact on their daily lives. I had hoped from an Irish perceptive that this would highlight the need for our own separate intelligence agency. It’s not looking good for that though.
Chemical Vlad:
“no, we did not poison Victor Yushchenko with DIOXIN”
“no, we did not poison Navalny in the face with ZELYONKA”
“no, we did not poison Litvinienko with POLONIUM”
“no, we did not drop CHLORINE gas in Syria”
Laughing! Some will be suckered by such a foolish hypothesis from the Russians. Russia is in danger of becoming a rogue State.
@Michael Lang: hows the embassy tea today?
Is the lunatics asylum open again ,a jasas that’s the second time today
What a ludicrous suggestion
@Michael farrelly:
Completely crazy alright – when have the UK ever lied to the entire world and used false intelligence to support hostile foreign policies before…….
Sorry but unless they provide evidence I will remain very skeptical – once bitten twice shy
@Michael farrelly: Yeah…the Diarmuid Connolly rumour is definitely of Chinese origin.
@Dessie Deratta: don’t know what you are talking about ??
@HelloGoogleTracking: of course you will because you are a Russian bot
@Michael Farrelly:
Haha – no I am not. Care to back that up with anything at all???
Or is this identity politics again – don’t like what someone else says – automatically label them as a strategy – in this case “Russian bot”
Sorry to disappoint but simply an Irish man with independent thought – values – and not afraid to speak my mind.
This whole thing stinks and does not add up – I will await evidence.
@Michael Farrelly: But he’s a GOOD bot! Not like all the Britbots here who appear to be either extremely gullible or simply stark raving mad!
@Michael farrelly: I find it very unlikely that everything is the fault of the Russians. Connolly will return when he is fully rested; he hasn’t retired or been put out to pasture.
@Dessie Deratta: will you please stop talking such utter nonsense to me
@Michael farrelly: which translates as you dont like the truth. The Brits initiated this flase flag event, like so many others. But the world see through it now. This is going to make it much more difficult for them in the longer term. The irish government will never expel another diplomat on their word again.
@Michael farrelly: O.K……I get it….you are anti-Dub
have your say