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Tory MPs shouted and cried “shame” as Jeremy Corbyn attacked Theresa May over donations from Russian oligarchs after her statement on the Kremlin’s responsibility for the Salisbury nerve agent attack.

His response came just moments after the Prime Minister pointed the finger at the Kremlin for the chemical attack which left Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia critically ill in hospital.

The Labour leader accused Mrs May of resisting a Commons move to introduce tougher sanctions on foreign criminals stashing money in the UK.

He said: “We’re all familiar with the way huge fortunes, often acquired in the most dubious ways possible in Russia sometimes connected with criminal elements have ended up sheltering in London and trying to buy political influence in British party politics.

“And there has been over £800,000 worth of donations to the Conservative party from Russian oligarchs and their associates.”

“So Mr Speaker, if that is the evidence before the government, even before the investigation is complete the government could be taking action to introduce new financial sanctions powers.”

“But instead they are currently resisting Labour’s amendments to the sanctions and money laundering bill, which could introduce the so-called Magnitzky powers.”

Former Welfare Secretary Iain Duncan Smith commended Mrs May for “rising to this occasion” in her statement.

He added: “Many in this house would wish that the Leader of the Opposition had abandoned party politics and done the same.”

Even Corbyn's own MPs turned on him over the intervention.

Chris Leslie said: "There should be unity across the house in terms of what I feel is a proportionate and sensible approach that she’s been taking to analysing what’s been happening and coming back to report to the house.

"And can I also say that there are certain circumstances, as [Mrs May] knows, where we take party political differences of opinion.

"But when our country is potentially under attack, that is just not appropriate."

Mrs May replied to thank him for “the tone that he adopted.”

She said: “He is absolutely right. This is a question of the national interest.”

She added: “That should be a matter that should concern all of us and should be above party politics.”

And Mrs May herself had a dig at the Labour leader, thanking SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford for "his tone" in responding to her statement.

She added: "This is indeed a matter which should concern us all. This is a matter of national interest, it is a matter of an attack that has taken place and we must respond to it appropriately."

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd have agreed to introduce a British version of the US "Magnitsky Act", The Sunday Telegraph reported, yesterday.

The American legislation, passed in 2012, was designed to punish Russian officials involved in the death in custody of the lawyer Sergei Magnitsky while he was investigating official corruption.

It has since been extended to apply worldwide, with the US authorities publishing a list of "gross violators of human rights" who are subject to subject to asset freezes and visa bans.

Conservative MPs seeking similar legislation in the UK confirmed discussions were ongoing with ministers about including "Magnitsky amendments" into the Sanctions Bill currently going through Parliament.

However ministers were said to be resisting one key element of the proposals which would ensure the law was actually used.

Tory backbencher Richard Benyon told the Press Association: "We are in negotiations with the Government which I hope will come to fruition in the report stage (of the Bill) which is down for April."

Former Conservative chief whip Andrew Mitchell told the Telegraph: "We have been making slow but reasonable progress with the Government in trying to reach a mutually acceptable position."