, rules and legal international rules and legal structure around that use. when i served as security minister and my right honourable friend was home secretary, i became aware both of her outstanding determination and dedication and of the commitment and expertise of our security services and the police that deal with terrorism. she knows, as the house knows, that was the metropolitan police. this is how can salisbury, wiltshire as the home secretary to look at whether our local police services are given the nature of these threats, equipped and informed adequately to deal with them? canl can i say to him that of course the ability to bring in the capabilities of the counterterrorism police who

don'tjust of the counterterrorism police who don't just operate of the counterterrorism police who don'tjust operate in the metropolitan police but have regional bases around the country as well, is part of the structure we have in relation to police forces. i'm sure he will be making sure the police look at the immediate response they have to this incident to ensure we certainly don't want to see an incident like this happening again and that is why we are sending a clear message to the russian state but we want to ensure our police forces are but we want to ensure our police forces a re aware but we want to ensure our police forces are aware of the threats they face. the prime minister's words we re face. the prime minister's words were appropriate, measured and correct and she has my full support. she mentioned dirty money from russia. can she look again at the role of the tax havens internationally including those in british overseas territories and crown dependencies? as he knows, we

have been taking a number of measures in relation to financial activities in the british overseas territories and dependencies. in the past our abilities to deal with issues like this through the economic crime centre and we have now set up that centre as part, which gives us the capability to deal with these issues. my constituents will be reassured about the nation 's security. could you condemn the remarks of president putin who attacked dues and other nations for meddling in the us elections and given that she has

said about possible rogue use of these chemical weapons, what is the prospect of such chemical weapons ending up in the hands of extremists? first of all, i also condemn the remarks that were made in relation to certain communities in the us. in relation to the second pa rt in the us. in relation to the second part of this question, what we're talking about here is a nerve agent that was developed as part of a chemical weapons programme by the russian state. that will give him a clear message in relation to this. cani clear message in relation to this. can i support what the prime minister has said. can i ask the prime minister this, i have some concerns about whether we have in place a proper strategy to combat chemical weapons attacks in this country. could the prime minister

give me some assurance about what work is continuing to improve that. obviously this is an issue that we do look at and we do have a strategy in place but we will of course ensure and revealed that and look again to make sure we have the best possible opportunity to make sure this cannot happen again.” possible opportunity to make sure this cannot happen again. i welcome the prime minister 's statement but cani the prime minister 's statement but can ijoin with the right honourable memberfor can ijoin with the right honourable member for beaconsfield about the importance of the international rule of law and say this is a very important moment of decision for china to decide which side she is going to sit on in this arrangement. cani going to sit on in this arrangement. can i urge my right honourable friend to take the most energetic steps to make sure china's stands with the rest of the civilised world. we want to see the maximum

possible adherence to the international rules —based order across the whole world. in different context this is a matter that i raised when i was in china recently. this is an important parliamentary occasion and many members want to question the prime minister. they should seek to ensure their questions are as susceptible the prime minister's replies have been. i support the measure the prime minister has announced. on this question of the integrity of the un security council we must now begin to talk about reform. russia cannot be allowed to sit pretty and feeling it is immune from the rule of law internationally. will she initiates

that sort of reform discussion with the general secretary? in relation to the question, we do talk to the united nations about reform of the united nations about reform of the united nations about reform of the united nations in a variety of ways. any decision, the catch—22 is that any decision that might be taken in the security council to reform it could be subject to a veto by russia who are sitting there. it is something that we will look at. the prime minister has underlined the house of the russian state has either been utterly reckless at best or directly complicit at worst in the deployment of a handful substance. she said you would be

taken... will she ensure that appropriate alice is provided between counterterrorism and counter espionage to ensure that our excellent security and intelligence agencies are appropriately focused to combat and disrupt those who would cause harm in our country.|j take the pointy is made and we do co nsta ntly take the pointy is made and we do constantly ensure that the balance is right between counterterrorism and counterespionage and we will of course continue to ensure that balance is maintained properly. responding with strength and resolve when your country is under threat is an essential component of political leadership. there is a labour tradition that understands that and

it has been understood by prime minister 's of all parties who have studied at that dispatch box. that means when chemical weapons are used we need more than words. can i ask the prime minister what more she can do to enhance our solidarity with our allies, do to enhance our solidarity with ourallies, particularly at do to enhance our solidarity with our allies, particularly at a time when there are nationalists forces trying to drive wedges between democratic countries. some of those forces supported by the russians themselves. can i say to the right honourable gentleman that he is of course right that there is a strong tradition in the labour party of recognising the importance of acting in the national interest when our national security is under threat. in relation to the point about the

international activity and the deeds we need to take, it is right and we will be speaking to our allies and were doing so before this event took la ce were doing so before this event took lace bug ways we could address the actions russia is taking. we will redouble those efforts now. does my right honourable friend agree that one of the best assets we have against russian disinformation propaganda is the bbc world service. will she look at ways in which we can extend the world service by incorporating world television in? i would hope the russian state would be prepared to accept the importance of free media. sadly, that may not

continue to be the case. but the broadcasting of the bbc and the world service is an important element of the reached the uk can have but it's an important part of actually helping those people who believe in democracy and the rule of law and free speech to have an outlet which is doing just that.|j was outlet which is doing just that.” was glad to hear the prime minister mentioned the sanctions and anti—money—laundering bill. but she will understand the many slp is an llp is engaged in money—laundering through this country. will she speaks to cabinet colleagues to tackle these corrupt elites because

money—laundering is happening at the moment. the question of money—laundering is one we take seriously and we have been working for some time both with law enforcement but also with the financial sector on ways in which we can improve the action we are taking against money—laundering and this is one of the things i expect the national economic crime centre to be looking at. one way that russia seeks to extend its influence in europe is by building relationships with energy dependence. is she aware that recently britain started to receive shipments of liquid nacho five gas. cani can i reassure my right honourable friend that when we are looking to our gas suppliers we are looking to

other countries. i am another one who supports the statement she has made today. can i also draw attention to the fact that while our response must be robust it must remain true to our values. would the prime minister says something about... this country believes in a free media. we will hear opinions against us but we also believe in the law of democracy. we do believe ina the law of democracy. we do believe in a free media. the question of the status of russia today in broadcasting in the uk is not a matter for the government. it's a matter for the government. it's a matter for the government. it's a matter for off, to consider. the prime minister was right to say that the argument is not with the russian

people but with the russian state. we have heard absolute solidarity across the western world but what statement of support has my right honourable friend received from the one political party which gives an equivocal ioo% backing for the leader of the opposition, the commonest party of great britain.” don't believe i have received any such statement from the commonest party of great written although i did notice they did say they weren't going to be standing as candidates against whether labour was standing and they felt more comfortable in working with the labour party. can i welcome the prime ministers statement and urge her to go further and like others use energy policy as and like others use energy policy as a new way of tackling this russian threat. while there are significant british energy interests in russia

with knowledge that can she confirm that russia's military assets are criminally funded by the sale of russian fossil fuels. can i ask you to look at the security strategy which is written in london and reduce europe's dependency on russian fossil fuels. that point has been made by other members across the house and russia uses its energy asa the house and russia uses its energy as a means to influence and impact on those countries that are in receipt of it. i can assure him that as we continue to discuss with the european union not just as we continue to discuss with the european union notjust our energy security but that wider energy security but that wider energy security issue. many members of this and the other house and members of multilateral parliamentary organisations. would my right

honourable friend agree that the way we can help get behind her leadership and the government's position on this is to when we attend events get the message across to explain the policies of this government and why our allies should be supporting us. he has raised a valuable point and i welcome that suggestion and would encourage him and other members of this house in those organisations to do just that. i don't shy away from criticising governments international holiday when they get it wrong but she has my full support for the measures she said out today. will the prime minister assured us she will leave no stone unturned when examining the russian state ‘s attempts to subvert our parliamentary democracy.”

russian state ‘s attempts to subvert our parliamentary democracy. i am very happy to give that commitment. i too welcome the clear decisive actions she has taken. can she reassure the british citizens who are looking to travel to russia over the coming weeks and months that regular updates will be provided by commonwealth icommomsfreaith orifice commonwealth orifice and commonwealth ollice and safety the commonwealth office and safety will be paramount. i can give that assurance. i suggest to those who do wish to travel to russia that they to ensure they are checking the foreign office advice. travel advice has not changed at this stage. this isa has not changed at this stage. this is a day for the house to speak as one for the nation and she will be

reassured to hear that a clear majority of labour members support the firm stance she has taken. is she prepared that this situation will probably get more difficult before it gets better and is she prepared to stay the course to face down this international bully and wrecker of our liberty and the rule of law across the world? cani can i assure him that we will stay the course. we recognise there may be further russian provocation and if there is we have further measures we can deploy. i think it is important that we and our allies recognise this is an important moment to stand up and say to

russia, now you can't do this. russian economy is a fraction but their expenditure on offensive capability. is there i say g course i sag course we do can i say that of course we do co nsta ntly can i say that of course we do constantly look at the resources we are putting into ensure our national security. can i welcome the prime minister's response today. further to the confirmation that no minister or memberof the to the confirmation that no minister or member of the family will be attending the world cup this summer that she believed this should also extend to senior fa officials and will she asked our allies tojoin us in this endeavour? i think the attendance at sporting events is a matter for the sporting authorities. they will be aware of the statement

i have made today and they will be aware that we are saying that no ministers are members of the royal family will be attending the world cup and they will consider their position. as chair of the inter—parliamentary union last year led a delegation to saint petersburg and was met with great warmth by many russian people. will she stressed that our opposition is not with them, it is with their leadership. the russian ambassador has made it clear we can now expect retaliation so will she send a clear signal to him and moscow that the uk will not be threatened.” signal to him and moscow that the uk will not be threatened. i am grateful to him for the remarks he has made and i think last night i saw the russian ambassador in quoted as saying that the show was not a country that accepted ultimatums. i can say to my right honourable friend that the uk is not a country

that accepts threats and we will stand up against them.” that accepts threats and we will stand up against them. i welcome the prime statement. the action that has to be taken against president putin will make it more difficult for organisations to seek to maintain relationships with the ordinary people of russia. what is important for both my statement and it's up on my right honourable friend made in his previous question, we are very clear that we have no argument with the russian people. it is with the russian state and the russian government and their actions. in the response that we give it is important that we make that clear in our words and actions. when it comes

to the longer term, given the actions of the russian state under president putin, hasn't the time nou camp to have a fundamental reassessment of camp to have a fundamental reassessment of our camp to have a fundamental reassessment of our defence spending in collaboration preferably with our allies but alone if not. as he will now we are one of the limited number of countries within nato that maintains our commitment to spending 296 maintains our commitment to spending 2% of ourgdp maintains our commitment to spending 2% of our gdp on defence. we do have the modernising defence programme thatis the modernising defence programme that is being undertaken at the moment alongside the national security capability review. it is important we are unable to deal with a variety of threats that we face but i will say to my honourable friend that in looking at how we deal with those threats not all of

them will be dealt with in a way that would conventionally be considered as a matter for the ministry of defence. the prime minister has rightly said that the attacks in britain have been part of an ongoing contempt of the rule of law and contempt of our valleys. there has also been a contempt of our alliances both political and military. in moving forward will the prime minister work with those political and military alliances so that together we have a root and ranch removal of russian interference in our political, education and financial institutions. let this be a marker, no more. they will fear what we will do, to hit back on the interference they have shown us. i will certainly

continue to work through those alliances to make sure we are sending a clear message that this is not acceptable. can i commend the prime minister on her decisive and vigorous action in response to what was after all an attack on the uk. in some ways it had flashes of the iron lady about it. but it was also in stark contrast to the aptitude of the leader of the opposition who simply could not bring himself to condemn russia for this outrageous act. he simply couldn't do it. is that not because he remains at hard what he has always been, an apologist for the russian state.”

think the people will take their own conclusions from what they are today but i can also say i am sure he is i do takea but i can also say i am sure he is i do take a great reassurance from the positive messages of support that have come from the labour backbenches. our way of life in this country and in the west is based on democracy, human rights and the rule of law. it should be defended. order. strongly held opinions have been expressed. i understand there is an intensity of feeling but the gentleman must have this question heard. our way of life in this country and in the waste —— west is based on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. it should be defended and that's why the prime minister is right to bring forward the sanctions against the state that

does not believe in those principles. can the prime minister give a commitment to come back to the house if she feels the need for further consideration of sanctions that should be made.” further consideration of sanctions that should be made. i did say in my statement that we had further measures we might wish to deploy if we we re measures we might wish to deploy if we were subject to further provocation and if we choose to do sol provocation and if we choose to do so i will come back to this house. we will leave the house of commons and the announcement that the uk is to expel 23 mile russian diplomats. theresa may says the diplomats will have a week to leave and were identified as undeclared intelligence officers. she has also revoked an invitation to russia's foreign minister and said the royal family would be among the officials not attending the world cup later this year. russia denies being involved in the attempted murder of

sergei skripal and his daughter. it has called the actions announced in the house of commons provocative and hostile. plenty more of course to come here on bbc news. the un security council will meet later today to be briefed on that nerve attack in britain. he later has said it has been kept informed of the investigation. plenty more from parliament on bbc parliament and we'll have more when we come back in a few minutes but first let's get the weather forecast. we have got the mild atlantic wet and windy weather in the west whilst we've got some fine sunshine across many central and eastern parts of england, and scotland. the cloud is coming in and it is rolling in and bringing some rain with it. you can

see the depth of this area of low pressure and how fast it is dominating the entire western atlantic. it's bringing rain and strong to gale force winds as well. the rest of the afternoon looks set to be rather soggy across the western side of the uk. it may be mild but it won't feel particularly pleasant. the strong winds will ease overnight. they will push that heavy rain across the mountains of ireland and northern ireland. concerns here for some flooding. part of a share will see the continuation of that strengthening south—easterly wind. they will be a frost for most of us. it looks fairly wet come the morning. that rain from most of us will be three or four hours as it

pivots its way northwards, still hanging across northern ireland. behind skies will brighten again with sharp showers. not as much sunshine today across scotland. temperatures not too bad. through tomorrow evening and overnight we start to change the wind flow little bit. more of a south—easterly wind and cold is starting to dig its heels in the those showers so it turns more progressively to snow over turns more progressively to snow over the hills. a concern for friday in scotland that we will see considerable amounts of snow. lowering through the day. still milder in the south and west but the high—pressure will allow that cold easterly wind to return and a bitter wind for many of us which means it will feel much colder again this weekend. into single figures for the

most part. hello, you're watching afternoon live — i'm simon mccoy. today at 2pm. you have one week to get out — theresa may's message to 23 russian diplomats as she outlines britain's response to the salisbury poisonings. there is no alternative conclusion other than that the russian state was cuplable for the attempted murder of mr skripal and his daughter, and for threatening the lives of other british citizens in salisbury. the russian embassy in london has condemned the prime minister's decision as "hostile" and "totally unacceptable". i'm ben brown and as the prime minister sets out tough new measures at the house of commons i will be getting reaction from here in westminster and from moscow. stephen hawking — the scientist who achieved world—wide fame with his theories of the universe — has died aged 76.