Content adapted from this Zerohedge.com article : Source
A week ago, UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd warned everyone not to jump to conclusions regarding a nerve-gas attack on a former Russian double-agent.
Teresa May is not heeding that suggestion.
In a late-breaking report, the Sun confirmed that May is preparing to name Russia as the perpetrator of the attack on Sergei Skripal, a spy who was turned over to the UK in 2010 as part of a swap with Russia, after receiving confirmation from her intelligence chiefs.
An intelligence assessment explaining the findings is reportedly being delivered overnight, and will be on May's desk in the morning. The attack, which occurred at a shopping center in a quiet suburban area, led to the hospitalization of 21 people, and left Skripal, his daughter Yulia and a local officer who responded to the scene in critical - but stable - condition.
The findings reveal the presence of chemicals that are tied to a Russian laboratory. It is expected that May will name Russia as the one behind the attack at the 11 AM National Security Council Meeting. A formal charge against Russia could take place before the House of Commons by early afternoon.
In their report to Mrs May, The Sun has learned that MI5 and MI6 chiefs will cite the very rare substance used on ex-spy Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia as key evidence of the Kremlin’s involvement.
It is believed to have been developed in the SVR Russian foreign spy service’s notorious Yasenevo laboratory.
Mrs May will then summon an emergency meeting of her National Security Council at 11 am to decide on the scale of Britain’s retaliation.
UK Ministers are unsure how to proceed. A full "package of sanctions is drawn up and seeking international support.
Incidently, this all could work in Putin's favor. He has an election next week. Since the investigation was short, he could claim Western powers are conspiring against him. Some speculate that the attack was for this purpose while others say Russia is being framed.
May is known for being weak with Russia meaning this move could be purely political.
But it is feared that a strong reaction ahead of Russia’s presidential elections next Sunday may play into Putin’s hands.
It is suspected that the Russian ruler sanctioned the brazen nerve agent attack simply to goad Britain into a reaction that he can strike back against and look like a strongman standing up to the West to voters.
Former British Ambassador to Russia Sir Tony Brenton said yesterday: “The more Putin can point to Western hostility and aggression, the more he rallies the Russian people around him”.
Sir Tony added: “Russia is number one on a list of suspects that doesn’t include a number two”.
In a hint of action to come, the Chancellor said: “If there were to be an involvement of a foreign state, then obviously that would be very serious indeed and the government would respond appropriately.
Philip Hammond also told BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show that Britain will not be humiliated by the attack, that breaks every rule in the international book.
He added: “The vast resources that have been deployed and the high level assets that we have been able to use show that nobody is laughing at us.
“This is a very serious investigation. Let’s see where it leads us.”
Mrs May came under mounting pressure last night from campaigners and her own MPs to hit back at Russia.
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