Russia's defence ministry has accused Britain of staging the chemical weapons attack that killed more than 40 people in the Syrian town of Douma on Saturday.

Maj Gen Igor Konashenkov, a military spokesman, said the Russian Army had "proof that testifies to the direct participation of Britain in the organising of this provocation in Eastern Ghouta."

Speaking at a briefing in Moscow on Friday, he claimed that Britain ordered the White Helmets, the volunteer rescue service who act as first responders in rebel-held areas, to fake the suspected Sarin and chlorine gas attack.

Dozens of civilians including women and children were killed in the chemical weapons attack in Douma. Western governments including Britain have blamed Bashar al Assad's government, a Russian ally, for the attack.

Donald Trump has threatened to launch missile strikes against Mr Assad's forces in response. Britain and France have backed his call for action.