Key Points
PM chairs National Security Council meeting
Attack looks like state-sponsored attempted murder, says foreign affairs committee chief
Says he expects Prime Minister to "point the finger at the Kremlin"
Visitors to the Zizzi restaurant and Mill pub
urged to wash possessions
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What a coincidence! Both Litvinenko Skripal worked for MI6. Berezovsky a Perepilichny were linked to UK speci services. Investigation details classif on grounds of national security.
12:36 - 10 Mar 2018
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13:04
Russian state TV accuses Britain of poisoning
Dmitry Kiselyov, the pro-Putin presenter of Rossiya 1's News of the Week show, suggested the poisoning could bring "possibilities" for Britain.
“They tried to pin the blame on Russia, but if you think it through the poisoning of the GRU colonel was only advantageous to the British,” he said.
“As a source, Skripal was completely wrung out and of little interest. But as a poisoning victim, he is very useful. Why not poison him? It’s no big deal. And with his daughter to make it more heart-wrenching for the public.”
The presenter suggested the poisoning could be used to justify a boycott of Russia's world cup.
It follows some suggestive tweets from the Russian Embassy over past and present investigations being classified.
12:44
Will today's meeting have consequences?
Sky News Political correspondent Tom Rayner sheds some light on what might be discussed in the meeting.
We could see the expulsion of senior Russian diplomats, the revocation of visas of people seen to have Kremlin links and possible financial penalties, he said.
There's also pressure on the Prime Minister for amendments to a piece of legislation currently going through parliament - which would make it easier to expel foreign nationals deemed a threat to national security.
"She will be working out and trying to think one step ahead about what the consequences should be should she take action," Tom Rayner said.
12:34
Kremlin spokesperson: nothing to do with us
A spokesperson for the Kremlin has distanced Russia from the investigation.
Skripal worked for British intelligence and the attack happened in Britain, they said, so it's not a matter for the Russian government.
Russia has not heard allegations from British politicians regarding alleged Russian involvement, they said.
12:30
Prime Minister's spokesperson hints at response
They said we will "respond " if we get to a position when we can attribute the Salisbury attack - that is to identify who is behind the poisoning.
"I think the cabinet ... is very clear that this is an ongoing investigation, that it is important that we allow the police to get on with their work," they said.
"If we get to a position when we're able to attribute this attack then we will do so and the government will deliver an appropriate response."
12:28
Defence secretary Gavin Williamson among those attending the meeting
Home secretary Amber Rudd, foreign secretary Boris Johnson and attorney general Jeremy Wright were also at the National Security Council meeting, along with military and intelligence chiefs.
12:20
Investigators studying high quality CCTV
Footage of Sergei and Yulia Skripal taken moments before they collapsed has been passed on to investigators and is being examined.
It's clear enough to see people's faces or read a number plate.
There had been worries that the Salisbury's £400,000 CCTV system was not working at the time of the incident, as it had been affected by technical issues.
Salisbury council leader Matthew Dean said that was resolved a month ago, however.
"The CCTV system was fully functional and a great deal of footage has been shared with the enquiry," he said.
12:07
Theresa May is being briefed at the National Security Council meeting
Intelligence chiefs, military officers and senior ministers from relevant departments will attend in order to review all the information that's available on the case so far.
Focus will likely be on ascertaining who's behind the poisoning - and what to do if a link to Russia is made.
If it is, measures might include expelling Russian diplomats, financial sanctions against individuals, and withdrawing official representation from the World Cup which will take place in Russia this year.
Tom Tugendhat suggested that so-called Russian oligarchs should be denied access to the "luxuries of Harrods and whatever else" in London.
11:53
Denials from Vladimir Putin's press secretary
Dmitry Peskov responded to a request from AP by insisting "we have nothing to do with the story".
"We consider inappropriate any mention of the Russian government in the context of what happened to Sergei Skripal," he said.
11:49
Tom Tugendhat says accusation could be likely
The chair of the foreign affairs select committee said the poisoning of the Russian agent looked like state-sponsored attempted murder.
He told the BBC it was too early to be certain.
But he would be "surprised" if the Prime Minister did not "point the finger" at the Kremlin, he said, and that an announcement may come soon.
11:23
Key Points
PM chairs National Security Council meeting
Attack looks like state-sponsored attempted murder, says foreign affairs committee chief
Says he expects Prime Minister to "point the finger at the Kremlin"
Visitors to the Zizzi restaurant and Mill pub urged to wash possessions
