Emily Thornberry MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Affairs Secretary, commenting on ongoing reports about the suspected poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, said:

“The investigation in Salisbury must reach its conclusions, and then we can debate the appropriate response.

“However, right now – even before that investigation is complete – the Government could be taking action to introduce new financial sanctions powers against Russian abusers of human rights. But instead they are currently resisting Labour’s amendments to the Sanctions and Money Laundering Bill, which would introduce those so-called Magnitsky powers.

“More generally, we need to continue seeking a robust dialogue with Russia on all the issues currently dividing our countries, rather than simply cutting off contact and letting the tensions and divisions get ever worse.”