Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia linger critically ill in a UK hospital after being poisoned by nerve agents developed and produced in Russia. Mrs May said there was ‘no alternative conclusion’ than to believe Russia was ‘culpable’ for the poisonings. Russia called the allegations ‘insane’, while refusing to explain how Russian nerve agents had been used. Putin’s defiance prompted the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats from the UK. America said Russia’s actions ‘fit a pattern of behaviour whereby Russia disregards international rules-based order, undermines sovereignty and security in countries worldwide, and attempts to subvert and discredit Western democratic institutions and processes.’ Because of a hostile political climate the UK intends to build a new ‘Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’ in Porton Down (where the nerve agent used on the Skripals was identified). The Russian foreign minister said that Russia would expel UK diplomats ‘soon’. Pray for ‘retribution and revenge’ tactics to end. See: and