this is bbc news, and these are the top stories developing at 11. russia says it's ready to expel british diplomats soon — as borisjohnson insists the nerve agent attack in salisbury won't lead to another cold war. the united states says it stands in solidarity with the uk and supported its decision to expel the russian diplomats. funding for the porton down chemical research centre is being increased — it was there that the rare soviet nerve agent was identified. defence secretary gavin williamson is about to make a statement about efforts to counter the threat of chemical weapons — we'll bring that to you live. also coming up, details from the investigation into the grenfell tower fire.

a scotland yard investigation found a doorfrom the building could only hold back fire for half the time it had been designed to. anglo—dutch consumer goods giant unilever, maker of dove soap and marmite, has chosen rotterdam over london for its headquarters. the world health organisation investigates bottled water after tests on major brands find nearly all of them contain tiny particles of plastic. good morning. it's thursday 15th march. i'm annita mcveigh. welcome to bbc newsroom live. moscow says it will expel uk diplomats "soon" — in response to the expulsion of 23 russian envoys by britain.

the prime minister took the action after moscow refused to explain how a russian—made nerve agent was used on a former spy and his daughter in the uk. this morning, france said it agreed with britain that russia was responsible for the attack, but the kremlin has denied involvement. last night the us government expressed its full support for britain over the attack. let me make one thing clear from the very beginning. the united states stands in absolute solidarity with great britain. the united states believes that russia is responsible for the attack on two people in the united kingdom, using a military grade nerve agent. the foreign secretary, borisjohnson, has insisted that

people in the uk have no reason to be nervous about another cold war. there is no question in our relations with russia are going through a different phase and we have to respond to the first use of nerve agent on the european continent since nato was invented. we have expelled 23 diplomats, spies masquerading as diplomats. that will eviscerate putin's intelligence capability in this country for decades to come. we believe it is the right response, a proportionate response. he spoke about the response, would you considerforce, troops on borders? i think it's important we are vigilant. the uk is there to support our friends around there to support our friends around the european continent and we are there in estonia, 800 uk troops near there in estonia, 800 uk troops near the border with russia, helping to

give security and a sense of confidence there in the baltics. we are strongly protective and defensive of what is happening in the western balkans. as the prime minister has said, the uk remains unconditionally committed, irrespective of our relationship with the european union, to european security. would you consider hitting the russians when it hurts, for example with money? we live under the rule of low in this country. not up the rule of low in this country. not up to politicians to go after that person take their wealth away. that is how he tenderly behaves. that is a sort of thing you expect to see in russia. it's up to the national crime agency to identify people whose wealth may have been acquired through gross corruption, theft from the russian state agency, that could be taken away with unexplained

wealth orders. the statute as they in our new lows we have in force. work is going on on that now. but i will stress one thing. i don't want to see a big outbreak of hatred of russia in this country. i don't want to see ordinary russians living and working here feeling they have unloved and unwelcome as a result of the very serious problems that we're having in our with russia at the moment. the foreign secretary speaking earlier this morning. i'm just going to sure leave the scene at the rolls—royce factory near bristol. some introductory speeches before we hear from the defence secretary, who has been vocal in his calls for more money to be spent on defence since he became defence secretary last year. we will go to his speech live when it happens, we expect that very soon. but first, let's try to get a quick word with oui’

let's try to get a quick word with our assistant political editor, norman smith. let's talk about what borisjohnson norman smith. let's talk about what boris johnson buzzing, norman smith. let's talk about what borisjohnson buzzing, the diplomacy surrounding these expulsions and the support for the uk's actions. surrounding these expulsions and the support for the uk's actionslj think support for the uk's actions.” think ministers will be hugely encouraged by the language we are now hearing from the united states and the un overnight and also crucially from the french president, following a telephone contribution weather they minister. one spokesman said britain was guilty of fantasy politics and failing to provide evidence to absolutely prove that russia was responsible for the poisonings. well, now we are told that president emmanuel macron com pletely that president emmanuel macron completely shares the uk's assessment that there is no plausible explanation other than russia was responsible. i think president macron himself has suggested it will look at measures of support in the next few days. in terms of the evidence, borisjohnson

also said that the uk will be sending to the organisation for the prohibition of chemical warfare some samples of the nerve agent, to actually copper bottom the evidence. jeremy corbyn has raised questions in the commons about how reliable that evidence is, but provoking considerable disquiet among many of his mps, some members of the shadow cabinet, the shadow defence secretary and the shadow foreign secretary and the shadow foreign secretary seemingly seeking to distance themselves. there is also what is called an early day motion down, backing the government's stance. let me finish there, because i think we can now hearfrom stance. let me finish there, because i think we can now hear from the defence secretary. we helped to defeat tyranny in two world wars and communism in the cold war. we have shielded the most vulnerable from kosovo to sierra leone. we helped liberate millions from the shackles

of oppression and exported democracy, tolerance and justice around the world. in the process, britain, alongside our allies, around the world. in the process, britain, alongside ourallies, had around the world. in the process, britain, alongside our allies, had a period of peace and prosperity across continent, unparalleled in its history. today, our armed forces continue to uphold this proud tradition. they are keeping us safe across the world. our pilots destroying terrorist targets in iraq and syria and policing eastern european skies against the increasing threat from russia. our soldiers stand centre now with our nato allies in estonia to deter this led. we are strengthening the security in afghanistan and south sudan, helping establish stability and giving democracy the chance to

grow and flourish. our sailors are countering international piracy and policing our waters and securing safe passage for the ships that support our global trade. beneath the waves, our nuclear submarines go undetected, as sock mariners on patrol every day of every year, providing our ultimate defence against the most deadly dangers to out against the most deadly dangers to our way of life. in the last few weeks alone, our forces have provided vital assistance in the wa ke provided vital assistance in the wake of storm emma and are now using their expertise to assist the ongoing criminal investigation following the horrific attack in salisbury. i want to thank each and every one of them for the dedication and commitment they have shown our

nation. continuing to deliver for the armed forces is imperative. especially in a world where the threats are growing. when it comes to non—state actors, we are seeing a generational shift, with terrorist organisations able to access increasingly sophisticated weapons. and state — based increasingly sophisticated weapons. and state —based dangers are increasing. back in 2010, we did not believe they posed as a credible threat. with believe they posed as a credible threat. wi this i naive. china is pushing described as naive. china is pushing for superpower status, restructuring the people's liberation army, pushing towards the indian ocean and employing sharp power, including military, media and economic pressure against any challenger. iran's proxy military presence in iraq, syria and yemen is well—known. north of the year has demonstrated

an act of global cyber capability, while its nuclear actions are destabilising the international order, floating decades worth of non—proliferation treaty is. then there is russia. at a time when our economy, this economy is under pressure, it is still prioritising military expenditure. investing in highly capable equipment across all domains, including long—range surface to air missiles, tanks, new, advanced submarines, long—range precision strike systems, ballistic missiles and a new range of strategic bombers. and the new nuclear systems that president putin posted about in the state of the nation address. what is also clear is that the kremlin is ripping up the international rule book, using its growing hybrid capabilities to

so dirt, undermine and influence countries around the world. its cyber operations are active and brazen. it uses social media to muddy the waters and spread confusion. last year, russia's military intelligence organisation directed ransom ware activity, or overwhelming systems in ukraine from its power grid to its social service and causing hundreds of millions of pounds of damage to companies around the world, including here in the united kingdom. but russia is capable of much more. it is already increasingly using proxies to undermine sovereign states. its involvement in the ukraine conflict has cost tens of thousands of lives. in syria, we're seeing a humanitarian crisis, where russia is

using private military companies to reduce their liability and limit criticism on the world stage. meanwhile, russia is also using its operatives incestuously to interfere in the political processes of other nations. security authorities have compelling evidence to show russia was involved in the attempted 2016 coup in montenegro, just prior to that country'sjoining coup in montenegro, just prior to that country's joining nato. coup in montenegro, just prior to that country'sjoining nato. and if we doubted the threat russia poses to our citizens, we only have to look at the shocking example of their reckless attack on salisbury. but against this backdrop of threats, we should not forget that our armed forces remain truly world—class and we're giving them the capabilities to respond. for example, we know the chemical threat does notjust come from russia, but

from other actors, so we are evolving the capability to meet the danger. i made the decision to offer the anthrax vaccine to armed forces at the highest readiness, providing them with vital protections against a deadly danger. and today, i can announce that we are building on our world—class expertise in the defence, science and technology laboratory at porton down. we are investing £48 million in a new chemical weapons defence centre, to maintain our cutting chemical weapons defence centre, to maintain ourcutting and chemical weapons defence centre, to maintain our cutting and chemical analysis and defence. we have brought together defences world—renowned brought together defences world— renowned expertise with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialists. and we continue to invest and explore new ways and capabilities to deal with this threat. more broadly, ourarmed forces are internationally

recognised as having an almost matchless combination of capability and experience. able to field a well—equipped army division with armoured brigades, striker gates and an air assault brigade. able to project power at a distance through an expeditionary air group, based on the state—of—the—art typhoon and the new f 35 lightning, that will soon embark upon ouraircraft new f 35 lightning, that will soon embark upon our aircraft carriers. those carriers in turn will form pa rt of those carriers in turn will form part of the hard—hitting maritime task group, including modern destroyers, frigates, submarines and commando forces. all this, plus a world best special forces and some of the most advanced intelligence gathering and analytical capabilities in the alliance. these are all the hallmarks of a series military nation. able to conduct first night, first strike attacks,

with the technology to go into contested air, sea and land spaces. to project power and range from the united kingdom and make a major contribution to deter threats, not just in the euro atlantic area, but across the globe. many of these forces are on operations admissions today. we are making a major contribution to the campaign that has crippled daesh. we have helped to train over60,000 has crippled daesh. we have helped to train over 60,000 iraqi security forces, seeing the first uk use of offensive use in combat and our air forces operating at an intensely not seen in more than 25 years. we are training the afghan and nigerian security forces and even the us marine corps, and this month, we have deployed hms trenchard to the arctic with the united states navy,

confirming our ability to operate under the ice. confirming our ability to operate underthe ice. our confirming our ability to operate under the ice. our operational expedience and prowess is the reason the uk has played an important leadership role in nato since its formation, and the reason we lead a range of international divisions and operations) the globe. we are the preferred operational partner for other top tier western militaries, particularly the united states and france, who also acknowledge that they too must modernise to stay ahead of our adversaries. but after ahead of our adversaries. but after a long period of relative peace, threats are increasing again. so we have arrived at a profound moment in our history. a crossroads, where the choice before the assassination is simple. to sit back and let events

ove rta ke u s simple. to sit back and let events overtake us or step forward, seizing the moment as we leave the european union to shape our vision for a bold, more prosperous britain, a britain proud of its past and confident of its future. in britain ready to reassert its right to do global good in a dangerous and unpredictable world. a britain able to protect our security and prosperity at home and abroad. after all, our armed forces are the face of global britain, enhancing our international reputation, epitomising everything that is great about our nation. we talk about soft power and we must acknowledge the amazing work of the foreign office but also business and organisations like the british council and promoting britain's values around the world. our armed forces worked with them, delivering aid in the wa ke with them, delivering aid in the wake of hurricane merrimack, minesweeping in the gulf and

bringing medical support in the fight against ebola in west africa. but let's be clear, soft power only works because hard power stands behind it, and that is what our armed forces deliver and why they are so important to our future. that is why this is our moment to retain our competitive advantage and invest in hard power capabilities. and that is why we have launched our modernising defence programme. it will make sure that our country can respond to the changing character of warfare and can deter and if necessary contest the new threats we face to british interests. demonstrating to potential adversaries that their efforts to harm the united kingdom are futile and not worth the cost that they will in power. so our modernising defence programme will give us a

more productive, more lethal, harder hitting joint force, able to counter conventional threats and to deal with the new challenges of asymmetric conflict. building on our existing plans for the future of our armed forces, it will balance routine, everyday capabilities, vital to fulfilling day—to—day tasks with highly sophisticated new equipment, using technology and different approaches to counter the full range of threats to our security. and to be able to operate freely in all five domains of land, sea, air, space and cyber. it will prioritise game changing technologies, giving our service personnel be aged in combat. in practice, this will mean taking our intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to the next level, hoovering up information from beneath the waves, from space,

from beneath the waves, from space, from across the increasingly important electromagnetic spectrum. finding out what our enemies are doing in high definition and providing artificial intelligence, labelling and analysis that can stay ahead in this fast—moving world. it will mean accelerating the development of innovative 77 brigade, those reservists and regulars who given the ability to win the information war, so we create and countered the narrative is so central to modern conflict. it will mean investing in new, more advanced and more capable armoured vehicles, more drones, as well as stealth fighters and state—of—the—art anti—submarine ships. new autonomous systems in areas like mine hunting, to enhance the protection we can provide to the royal navy and our nato allies.

developing our capability, working in partnership with gchq. today, i can announce we will be spending also £4 million land systems uk to deliver the ajax shop detection syste m deliver the ajax shop detection system which can sense gunfire and protect troops using our next generation of armoured vehicle. but we will be going further, developing and embedding new approaches to war fighting, protecting and enhancing our information networks to give our commanders the edge over our adversaries. pursuing technological big bets, in big data, artificial intelligence and weapons, all the while building innovation and risk tolerance into our planning and thinking. that is my vision of a modernised force fit for the future, delivering the hard power to

complement britain's soft power, strong, balance and innovative armed forces, equipped with cutting—edge capabilities, operating confidently in the new domains of warfare, preparing us for the unpredictable, keeping british citizens safe wherever they are, fulfilling our global ambitions and defending britain's national interests. our modernising defence programme will make sure we continue reading in nato, continue to be capable and reliable contributors to missions led by close allies and partners. butjust as led by close allies and partners. but just as importantly, led by close allies and partners. butjust as importantly, continuing to act independently or lead multinational missions when the need arises. and this weekend, i will attend a major exercise of the uk led joint expeditionary force, bringing together the capabilities of my nation that allow us to respond more rapidly and pack a more

powerful punch in terms of crisis. our modernising defence programme is also about our prosperity. you cannot have prosperity without security. what better illustration of that pact than our iconic post here in filton today, rolls—royce, the very embodiment of cutting—edge, world leading technology. one of our largest suppliers of defence aerospace engines andy driver of local economic growth as an employer, with more than 22,000 people across the uk. together with thousands of other brilliant british businesses, they form an industry supporting one in every 200 jobs in the uk and providing high—quality training and apprenticeships. that has injust over a decade generated more than £73 billion of exports.

our modernising defence programme will support the growth and competitiveness of the defence sector, helping to create and sustain jobs sector, helping to create and sustainjobs by sector, helping to create and sustain jobs by transforming sector, helping to create and sustainjobs by transforming our partnership with industry, that will allow us to develop and deliver cutting—edge technology more effectively, bring more small and medium—size enterprises into the supply chain, encourage greater innovation and deliver long—term value while we try a harder bargain for the goods and services that we buy. since strong defence underpins our nation's prosperity, i have invited philip dunne to conduct a review to help demonstrate that it is far more than insurance policy, it is an investment injobs at home and exports abroad. he understands this sector extremely well and also brings an important independent perspective. this work on the

modernising defence programme, delivering the right capabilities for our armed forces, making sure we remaina leading for our armed forces, making sure we remain a leading voice on the world stage, supporting economic growth and creating a stronger, more strategic partnership with industry. it will be substantially completed by the time of the nato summit in july, at which point, we will be in a position to share some headline conclusions. i will be seeing more in the weeks ahead about my vision for the armed forces that we want to create. i hope to engage with many of you between now and then and would encourage you to take part in our public consultation over the coming weeks. but let's be clear. after 1990, we believed the world was after 1990, we believed the world was going to become a safer and better place with every year that

past. just as we believe that there would probably only be one superpower. but as we have seen increasingly clearly over the last few years, the reality of that is rapidly changing. in every continent of the world, there are notjust extremists, but states willing to undermine our values, our ideas and everything that we stand for. to deal with this challenge, we need to ensure that soft power has the hard power to back it up. as we take you approach to defend any post brexit world, we must work harder to explain why it matters to the nation. when i visited the parachute regiment recently, i was told something that stuck with me. knowledge dispels fear. so let us not give in to the demons of doubt. instead, let us be confident, let us be determined and let us be resolute in our belief, by using all our

power, hard and soft, britain will continue bringing light to a darkening world. thank you. applause the defence secretary has very kindly agreed to answer questions. we will do it under the usual policy exchange house rules, no question too outrageous, you just have to state your name and organisation before you do so. the lady there. larissa brown from the daily mail. secretary of state, russia has said today it will expel diplomats from moscow and st petersburg. as the uk got a further package of measures that it could unleash in response to this and could this include a

military response? thank you. what we will do is we will look at how russia responds to what we have done. it is absolutely atrocious and outrageous what russia did in salisbury. we have responded to that. frankly, russia should go away, it should shut up, but if they do respond to the action we have taken, we will consider it carefully and we will look at our options, but it would be wrong to prejudge their response. the gentleman there. what you make ofjeremy corbyn's response? some have suggested he has been less than supportive. think every tory enderby labour mp

we re think every tory enderby labour mp were described as disappointing. there is no doubt whether this has doubled i swear this attack has come, it has come from russia. —— where this attack has calmer, it has come from russia. we sit in the house of commons and listen to members of parliament from all parties, they want britain to stand together against this great threat. that is what we will do, we support we will offer the prime minister, thatis we will offer the prime minister, that is what the nation the airy to see from all parties. you set out an ambitious vision borderfence, but you set out an ambitious vision border fence, but the you set out an ambitious vision borderfence, but the national audit

office is ready said there are grave concerns about the equipment plan. where is the money going to come from all this ambitious vision. we are from all this ambitious vision. we a re fortu nate from all this ambitious vision. we are fortunate that we have a rising budget in defence and we have one of the strongest commitments and times of our future the strongest commitments and times of ourfuture equipment the strongest commitments and times of our future equipment programme. as any good organisation, we always carry contingency. as part of this programme, we will not make judgments at the start, we will look at the capabilities we need to deal with threats and when we reach conclusions, that is when we have do have the national discussion and debate about how we take our defence forward and ensure we have the capabilities to deal with the threat this nation faces. russia has been kind of marking us in the face of

theresa may's announcement, the russian embassy feed saying —23 degrees. what do you say to that response? is britain thinking about potentially invoking article four in response to this? what we want to do is work with all of our international allies at the back the united states, france, germany, our nato allies, our friends united states, france, germany, our nato allies, ourfriends in australia and new zealand. make sure we speak with the united voice as one to condemn this atrocious act that russia has committed on our soil. and we have to be very careful in terms of the actions we take. they have to be thoughtful and calibrated and ultimately have to have effect against russia. that has come in essence, loves this attack

on us come in essence, loves this attack onusi come in essence, loves this attack on us i don't think we should be rushing to do too much too rapidly. i think everything has to be incredibly considerate and have a real impact and effects on those people at the very top of the russian regime as it decided to cause this nation harm and to act in such an irresponsible and dangerous manner. how would you describe relations with russia at the moment? would you say this is a new cold war? second way, you've decided to vaccinated british troops against anthrax. some people will possibly bea anthrax. some people will possibly be a land that is, can you explain that decision? anthrax, i think it's my responsibility to make sure i

gave our armed forces every protection they possibly need. so giving our high—readiness for forces do have that vaccination is part of that. it is my duty to give them every protection possible. cold war, russia. lets face it, relations aren't good, they? russia, in my view, has made a deliberate political decision in terms of what they date in attacking britain. it's often described as a cool war that'll entering end. i would say it's feeling exceptionally chilly at the moment. in your speech, you said

the moment. in your speech, you said the 2010 defence cuts were naive. others would say they were worse than that. how damaging do you think they work to the capabilities of our armed forces and the message they send to our enemies? armed forces and the message they send to ourenemies?” armed forces and the message they send to our enemies? i would hate for the daily mirror to misquote me. isaid for the daily mirror to misquote me. i said its assessment that state—based threat no longer exist was naive. i think that was an incorrect assessments. the state—based threat existed, they wa nt state—based threat existed, they want as obvious as they are now. in vice city and said russia had the capability and intend to launch an attack on people who are going about their business in the city here in their business in the city here in the united kingdom, you would have saidi the united kingdom, you would have said i was scaremongering. this is what they've done. the whole field

of wa rfa re what they've done. the whole field of warfare and conflict is changing. you are seeing them doing and operating in different ways. they are not holding back. you a mass what they're doing in syria and the ukraine. there are invading nation states and not caring about international reacting. we should be caring about this, we should be bothered about how nations are operating. britain always has an amazing position in the world, we actually ca re amazing position in the world, we actually care about other nations and our security. we have got to open our eyes to the fact that people are willing to do so much more than they ever have done in the past and we have to be ready for those threats. our armed forces, we see it every single day, how the step up to the mark more than anyone else. as secretary of state, if you do not bang the drum for them, if

you do not try and do right by them, if you do not make sure we do everything we can so that when they are protecting us they have everything that they need to do the job, frankly, i would not be doing myjob properly. job, frankly, i would not be doing my job properly. how much do you age to get your mitts on that enormous foreign aid budget? foreign aid plays a very important role in delivering soft power right around the world. i have do admit i have great ideas of how i could spend an extra £14 billion, but i think all secretaries of state for defence have great imagination when it comes to spending money, but this is why we have chancellors to constrain them. the defence secretary, kevin

williams, will have more analysis of that speech, but we are now going to the house of commons where sajid javid is talking about the investigation into the grenfell tower fire. fire investigation into the grenfell towerfire. fire doors investigation into the grenfell tower fire. fire doors were found to be less effective than they should have been. the metropolitan police considered that this test result might have wider implications for public safety and alerted my department. the government immediately sought advice from an independent expert panel to test the findings and see if any action was required as a result. this expert panel is made in of a range of building and fire safety experts and chaired by sir ken knight, a former fire chief safety adviser. the representative panel with

representatives from the metropolitan police, the government's scientific advisers and the fire chiefs council. the panel have advised that the risk to public safety is low. i nevertheless fully appreciate that this news will be troubling for many people, not least all those affected by the grenfell tower to the. that's why, based on expert advice, where began the process of conducting further tests and will continue to consult with the expert panel to identify the implications of these further tests. i made it clear these further tests must be carried out thoroughly but ata must be carried out thoroughly but at a pace. there is no evidence that this is a systemic issue. data between 2009 and 2017 show that fire does not generally spread beyond the room of origin. i'm also clear that

my department and the metropolitan police will ensure the bereaved and survivors are kept informed of progress. i commit to dating the house when further information is available and no later than the end of april. i should stress that, in carrying out these tests, conclusions should not be drawn about the nature of because of the 6 re nfell about the nature of because of the grenfell tragedy. that is a matter for a separate police investigation, and it mustn't be allowed to run its course. honourable members will be aware that dame judith hackett is undertaking independent review to ensure the regulatory system is robust. she has been made aware of these latest findings and, having accepted the initial recommendations set out in her interim report in december, and look forward to her final report, expected in the spring. in: eff =5 we'

the risk to the public has received, the risk to the public has not fiber-ass all possible steps are not changed. all possible steps are being taken to investigate the issues and take action where needed. double etc is paramount and our position is clear. the events of june should never be repeated.”

begin by thanking the secretary of state for early sight of his statement. grenfell, nine months on, the human tragedy of grenfell still lives with us all and the realisation that we saw systemic failure of building checks and controls. we must keep that in mind. i will always endorse the secretary's words, public safety is paramount. but that means transparency, accountability and a driving sense of urgency. i have to say, i welcome his transparency bringing forward this statement at the earliest possible stage, it is right improper at this is in the public domain. —— right and proper. however he can never be open to the charge of political point scoring for the opposition to demand accountability and for the

government to demonstrate its sense of urgency. i was surprised in his statement at one particular fiii, room . origin. room i origin. tony beyond the room of origin. tony lloyd for labour responding to the

statement from sajid javid about the mela tottenham metropolitan police investigation into fire doors at g re nfell tower investigation into fire doors at grenfell tower which found that they we re grenfell tower which found that they were only half as effective as they we re were only half as effective as they were supposed to be. this was a test carried out on an undamaged door from the tower. this prompted the statement by sajid javid this morning. lets speak to our home affairs correspondent, tom symonds. let's consider carefully what sajid javid had to say there. obviously, the government had to consider, does this mean wider implications for public safety, and his response? that there aren't any at this stage. it is important to understand there are several investigations going on into this fire. the most important one is not the public enquiry, it is the police investigation. they are

looking into potential corporate manslaughter, doing their own testing programme in the way various materials involved in the fire recessed fire. and resistance of fire is very specific classification, so they have tested a door and most of them are required toa 30—minute a door and most of them are required to a 30—minute standards. they found this door has a 15—minute performance, in other words, this door has a 15—minute performance, in otherwords, it failed after 15 minutes, and never asked the government to look further. the government has its own testing regime, it has dated cladding, insulation and the design of padding and installation together. my understanding is that the government has not yet done its own tests on these types of doors. so all that has happened today is that the government has said, based on the met police test, there is no wider issue. but we heard there that the government may have similar to the government may have similar to the stage of doing its own tests.

sajid javid talked about those test happening at pace and that the breed and survivors grenfell would be kept informed. —— the bereaved and survivors. this is going to raise concerns? we don't think, and were still checking this, but all the documents we have gathered about the refurbishment of grenfell tower, we don't think the doors were widely changed. that might suggest that perhaps the doors in place were substandard before the tower was refurbished. it's also worth saying, this is not apportioning blame, generally people who had leaseholds in flat may consider changing their front flat door. clearly, they need to stick to building regulations and make sure the door fitted our safe. souleymane doukara be one standard door fitted to grenfell tower. —— so there may not be one standard door

fitted. there was a big cladding refurbishment in another tower and one of the issues found there was with iodised. that project, they had to get people out of those towers while the dealt with the fire door issue. so fire doors are a big issue and it will be a relief to housing people across the country that today we're not seeing a general recall of fire door is fitted to their flats. clearly now there is a problem with fire doors that will be closely scrutinised. as we house, not necessarily because of the fire or even a contributor, there were a lot of factors here. the cladding and the installation and also the fire doors are important. thank you very much. breaking news now, the crown prosecution service has said there will be no further review by prosecutors into the death of

13—month—old copy worthington in barrow and furness in 2012. the coroner concluded that, and the balance of probabilities poppi was abused before she died on the 12th of december. her father paul denies the accusation. we've just learned that theresa may is to visit salisbury, and is in fact there and will be talking to emergency services and others. our correspondent is there a. visits following on from the visit by the home secretary last week? that's right, all part of what seems to be a very visible attempt to be on the front foot of this whole nerve agent story. alaba front foot of this whole nerve agent story. ala ba russ front foot of this whole nerve agent story. alaba russ was —— amber rudd was here last week, theresa may today. she will be meeting public health england today they have been

speaking at bristol public from the nerve agents. she will be meeting some members of the public to reassure them about what's happened, reinforcing that government message. we have borisjohnson this morning on the bbc saying the public needn't be nervous about this, things are under control. wheels understand from the prime minister's office that the government has wanted a robust, international response to this holi and the other days have been step past in their support. that is the message put out ahead of the visit here to salisbury. it is expected she will come to the bench herself and see the position where mr skripal and his daughter yulia we re mr skripal and his daughter yulia were attacked. she will also meet members of the emergency services, some involved in the ongoing investigation. we had news this morning that police have issued cctv

pa cers of morning that police have issued cctv pacers of mr skripal‘s bmw coming into town that sunday morning. there asking for more members of the public to come forward if they have dash cam footage or from their businesses, all that operation is ongoing and mrs may bobbi greig about that. you get a sense this is about that. you get a sense this is a attempt by the conservative government get on the front foot. we also has comments from gavin williamson earlier saying this attack was shocking and reckless and that the kremlin, in his words, has ripped up the international rule book. thank you, duncan. in a moment, a summary of the business news this hour. but first, the headlines on bbc newsroom live: russia says it's ready to expel british diplomats soon — as borisjohnson insists the nerve agent attack in salisbury won't lead to another cold war. funding fora

funding for a chemical research centre is being increased, it was there that the nerve agent was identified. and a police investigation has found that a door from grenfell tower could only hold back fire bro hof the time it was designed to. —— could only hold back fire. in the business news: love it or hate it — the maker of marmite and dove soap has chosen rotterdam over london for its headquarters. anglo—dutch consumer goods giant unilever say the company will move to a single legal entity in the netherlands in an effort to become more agile. they say the decision is not about brexit. the toystore giant toys r us says it will close all 735 of its us stores as it winds down the company after failing to secure a buyer or a rescue deal. yesterday, it was announced that all the uk toys r us stores will close in the next six weeks. airbus has warned that it could not give any new business to uk engineering giant gkn if it is taken over by turnaround specialist

melrose, stressing the need for long—term investment. gkn makes wing components and other key aircraft parts for airbus, which is its biggest customer. melrose, which has mounted the hostile bid, responded by saying they invest as if they were to own the business forever. as we've been hearing, unilever has chosen rotterdam over london for its headquarters. the company said it would move to a single legal entity in the netherlands in an effort to become more agile. company was keen to the say them move was not linked to brexit. earlier, our business editor, simonjack, spoke to the ceo of unilever, paul polman. we've made two decisions today, and both of them are meant to make the company more agile, more focused and obviously create longer—term shareholder value, or continue to create that value. we have announced that we would move to three divisions, two of them located here in the uk, which is the beauty and personal care division and the home care division, which is about 60% of our business and fastest—growing.

that secures about £1 billion per year in spending. the second decision we have made is to simplify our legal structure. instead of having two legal structures, we are simplifying that in one legal structure in the netherlands, and that will allow us again once more to run our business a bit faster and more efficiently. russia will expel uk diplomats soon, its foreign minister has said, in response to the expulsion of 23 of its diplomats by britain. sergei lavrov told russian media the expulsions would definitely happen. the uk took its action after moscow refused to explain how a russian—made nerve agent was used on a former spy and his daughter in the uk. i'm joined by chris wheafer, senior partner at a macro—advisory firm. chris, up until now these sanctions have been largely political? could they have any economic impact on russia? nothing that has happened

this week is economic in nature. it is, as you say, a traditionally political response and also is more of the same of the tiber sanctions we'd had since 2014. there has been no move to broader areas which could impact the russian economy. i believe russian officials will be relieved about that. russia has said it will expel diplomats soon. what other actions can we expect?” it will expel diplomats soon. what other actions can we expect? i would expect the reaction to the purely political, because we have magazine that since 2014 when centres were first applied after crimea. moscow has been consistent in its views that it does not what did during politics to hire an economic conditions. it does not want to create barriers for foreign

companies to come into russia. it has been very consistent about keeping bad politics and one draw and did business in the other. i would not expect any response from russia that would make it more difficult for uk companies to do business in russia, purely political reaction is what i'm expecting. has an apprentice trade between russia and the uk? trade between the two countries is actually negligible back above. i believe trade with russia was only one present of total uk trade and only 2% of russian trade last year. a key component for russia is energy, and the uk has never been a direct buyer of oil or gas from russia. indirectly, perhaps, but never directly. a quick look at how the markets have been trading today. the ftse is up. cine world are up 12% in sales.

unilever, as we have been discussing, moving their headquarters to rotterdam, shares are down. and gkn down as the hostile takeover from melrose continues, but melrose and airbus pushing back. an update on the inspection that sajid javid ordered at the beginning of the year for northampton county council to state whether it was complying with its best value duty, that has come back and says that the council has failed to comply with that duty for some time. worried that duty for some time. worried that in the next hour. also will have the headlines for you. in a moment we say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. first, we leave you with a look at the weather: some of us have seen quite a lot of

rain in the last 24 hours. parts of northern ireland have had around 50ml in the last 24 hours, and there is more to come. my graphics don't seem to be moving, so i will continue telling you about the weather. this was killed earlier on as the rain moved away, but others are no so that rain. a lot of standing water in staffordshire and more to come through the afternoon. there in the way in northern ireland and then changes. rain, then wind and then changes. rain, then wind and turning colder. that will push some uk across through the weekend. here is the rain slowly clearing from northern ireland is but moving into northern england. windy here, when zigzagging down the east cowes. behind the rain, sunshine and showers, some on the heavy side. mild in the south, feeling cold

given the strength of the winds. windy, outbreaks of rain, in parts of northern england and scotland. meanwhile in the south, a band of rain pushing through southern counties of england and wales. temperatures around three celsius, colder air from scotland bringing colder air from scotland bringing colder conditions and also snow. over higher grounds and perhaps lead to lower levels as well. sunshine and showers and other day, showers possibly thundery. hanging on to milder conditions here, but colder conditions in the north and with the wind will feel colder still. into the weekends, and easterly winds picking up, dragging cold air across the uk. not as cold as earlier in the uk. not as cold as earlier in the month, but a sharp drop in temperature, some places 10 celsius lower than friday. wintry showers

around, uk across a large swathes of the country and temperatures struggling to get much above freezing. ad in the winds, it will be bitterly cold. then we keep a night on saturday into sunday, a significant spell of uk pushing into parts of southern england. keep an eye organ on the forecast over the next 24 hours. this is bbc news, and these are the top stories developing at 12. russia says it's ready to expel british diplomats soon — as borisjohnson insists the nerve agent attack in salisbury won't lead to another cold war. i don't think this represents a threat to people's basic safety, but it does represent a deterioration in our relations with russia. the prime minister is visiting

salisbury this lunchtime and will be briefed by officials. the defence secretary announces more funding for chemical weapons defence, and has a message for russia. frankly, russia should go away and shut up, but if they do respond to the action that we've taken, we'll consider it carefully and we will look at our options. also coming up, details from the investigation into the grenfell tower fire. a scotland yard investigation found a doorfrom the building could only hold back fire for half the time it had been designed to. a government inspector says northamptonshire county council should be abolished and replaced with two new unitary authorities. and we'll be hearing the views of students across the country about fake news in the bbc‘s annual school report. it's thursday 15th march.

i'm annita mcveigh. welcome to bbc newsroom live. theresa may will be briefed by officials from public health england as she visits salisbury this afternoon. the kremlin says british diplomats will be ordered to leave moscow following the expulsion of 23 rations from the uk. the prime minister took the action after moscow refused to explain how a russian—made nerve agent was used on a former spy and his daughter in the uk. this morning, france said it agreed with britain that russia was responsible for the attack, but the kremlin has denied involvement. last night, the us government expressed its full support for britain over the attack. let me make one thing clear from the very beginning.

the united states stands in absolute solidarity with great britain. the united states believes that russia is responsible for the attack on two people in the united kingdom, using a military grade nerve agent. duncan kennedy is in salisbury for us. the prime minister has arrived. he will she be talking to? but many details from downing street on the nature of her visit. i have just seen the chief concert will show what passed, it may be she meets him. officially, we are told she will be briefed by public health england. we do not know what else her itinerary might involve. i am standing just a few feet away from the bench where sergei skripal at

his daughter were attacked and we have just seen the chief constable go past. whether there is a connection, we don't know. the only other thing to come out of the westminster briefing this morning from the prime minister's office was that the uk had wanted a robust international response, and allies have been steadfast in their support, including that comment we have just heard from the white house, getting support from president trump. all this comes amid a flurry of activity, notjust president trump. all this comes amid a flurry of activity, not just from the prime minister, but other government ministers, including borisjohnson, going government ministers, including boris johnson, going on government ministers, including borisjohnson, going on radio this morning talking about the public not needing to be nervous about this, we're not cold war as such, although we're not cold war as such, although we do need a robust response to what the have done. also in the last half an hour, we have had each speech from the defence secretary, where he has described this as a horrific attack taking place in salisbury. he said the kremlin had ripped up the

international rule book. so the political message there and also a practical one, because he said he is offering the chance of servicemen serving abroad, if they want to take an anthrax vaccine, be vaccinated with that. it will not be compulsory, it will be optional for them. it is part of the british response to this. mr williamson also confirmed that both can darren, the chemical plantjust outside salisbury, will get an extra £40 million to set up the defence research centre. we're not sure if thatis research centre. we're not sure if that is the direct response to the sergei skripal attack or whether it was preplanned and mr williamson is just announcing it now, or what that will mean in practical details. does that mean more laboratories, more scientists? the centre has been nerve for a long time, it is world—renowned, but mr williamson

making clear that a lot more money is going in to beef up the operation there. it was of course porton down that confirmed the name and nature of the agent used against sergei skripal and his daughter nearly two weeks ago. thank you for that. we can now go live to our correspondent richard galpin in moscow. ba iley‘s bailey's comments by various senior ministers in the uk this morning. borisjohnson talking ministers in the uk this morning. boris johnson talking about, ministers in the uk this morning. borisjohnson talking about, despite the expulsions, this not been another cold war. the defence secretary saying that russia should go away and shut up. what do you think the reaction will be?” go away and shut up. what do you think the reaction will be? i am sure they will not be best pleased by that language. as we have heard on both sides, the rhetoric is stepping up and up. some very bitter, angry comments from a number of officials already today. we have heard from the kremlin spokesperson

saying that the response to theresa may's announcements about what action in britain will take, the russian response will come soon. vladimir putin will make the final decision about what measures they are and when they will be taken. they also said britain would be informed ahead of the announcement, they will be informed first. there has also been another briefing from the foreign ministry spokeswoman, who has been one of the most outspoken people so far among officialdom here. she has been very, very loud and her criticism. and once again, she has denied any russian involvement in the poisoning in salisbury. translation: this is a preposterous accusation against russia, against russian people. we published a statement, a ministry statement. it is published on the official website.

it is believed that, due to action, non—friendly actions taken by the british against the russian federation, we're going to talk about retaliatory measures that we will take. we're working on them at the moment and we will take them as soon as possible. richard, how does everything that has been happening, and the response, how does that fit into the vladimir putin narrative? one theory is that it works rather well for mr britain. we'rejust is that it works rather well for mr britain. we're just coming is that it works rather well for mr britain. we'rejust coming up is that it works rather well for mr britain. we're just coming up to an election that he will inevitably win. it is this sense that russia feels under siege, under attack, and here we go again. the kremlin will

give shrill announcements and western powers relating against russia. we believe in certain sections of russian society, that goes down well, portraying russia is under attack and guess who's strong man, it's mr putin. thanks very much, richard. the defence secretary has announced new investment at porton down. a new chemical weapons defence centre is to be built at porton down. the wiltshire laboratory will get an extra £48 million in government funding. porton down scientists helped identify the nerve agent used in salisbury.

mr williamson condemend the attack on sergei skripal and his daugther and said russia should ‘go away and shut up'. it is absolutely atrocious and outrageous what russia did in salisbury. we have responded to that. frankly, russia should go away and should shut up, but if they do respond to the action we have taken, we will consider it carefully and we will look at our options. but it would be wrong to prejudge their response. let's speak now to the independent chemical weapons expert, doctor richard guthrie. hejoins me via webcam from the ukrainian capital, kiev. we know that porton down already has great capabilities, what more do you think the money ploughed into this new chemical weapons defence centre can do? as you say, the laboratories at porton down are world—class, but all government laboratories around the world have a constant battle with finance departments about when

to upgrade laboratory equipment. the money people often want to defer in, say, can you invest this money next year? as a science and technology develops, laboratories developed, so this is a good chance to make sure laboratories are up to speed. but thatis laboratories are up to speed. but that is the question of whether this easy new centre. the phraseology used by the secretary of state was slightly awed. this might be misinterpreted as the uk being scared or concerned that it feels unprepared to deal with chemical insta nces, unprepared to deal with chemical instances, but in fact, the capacity is really quite good already. do you think this is a specific response to salisbury? if so, it is very quick, or is it something that's been planned for years? gavin williamson has been hawkish on his calls for more money on defence spending since he became secretary last year. i'm not aware of spending being in the pipeline in the past, but there is this need to keep all laboratories

at the cutting edge. porton down is particularly good. internationally, it has a tremendous reputation. that is an international proficiency test held annually by the international organisation deals with chemical weapons, based in the hague. the laboratories at porton down have maintained their professional status every year. unlike some other laboratories around the world that have lost that status and had to read unit in the subsequent test. and of course, the defence secretary talked about the role of soft power, would really focused on hard power. he said, this is our moment to retain competitive advantage and strengthen our hard power to project power and range from the uk. and he wasn't just bring about power and range from the uk. and he wasn'tjust bring about the threat posed by russia. he talked about other state actors as well. in terms of the image that uk is presenting as well as a substance, this is clearly very important for him. yes,

ido find clearly very important for him. yes, i do find the phraseology competitive advantage slightly awed in relation to something like the laboratory, because it is much more normally a commercial term or a term used when you are projecting power. but it is really important that there is growing threat from the use of poisons, as we have seen, the controversies of poisons, as we have seen, the co ntrove rs i es over of poisons, as we have seen, the controversies over laboratory tests on the samples taken in syria of chemical weapons. this site there needs to be extremely robust. and making sure there are a leading edge scientists able to operate with their most modern equipment, is really important. there are times when i have had disagreements with porton down, but there is no doubt that the work carried out that as world leading, many scientists are imminent in their fields around the world. finally, in terms of the vaccination for troops, the anti—anthrax vaccination, is that

something that is advisable, in your opinion? that has to be taken with great care. anthrax vaccine does have side effects. if you know you are likely to be exposed to anthrax asa are likely to be exposed to anthrax as a weapon, then it is very useful to have it. if you are in a situation where you may be deployed overseas in an area where there is a perception that may be a threat, thatis perception that may be a threat, that is very difficult on an individual basis to work that the costs a nd individual basis to work that the costs and benefits. it's very important it is voluntary, it's very useful to have it available, but i do think there needs to be more research on anthrax vaccines. there is one of the vaccines that would be very useful around the world to improve it, because it is still a disease that causes huge economic damage in cattle around the world, isa damage in cattle around the world, is a better understanding of its mechanisms and a better vaccine would be useful. i do very much for your time today and your thoughts. an independent chemical weapons expert. meanwhile, the foreign secretary, borisjohnson, has insisted that people in the uk have no reason

to be nervous about another cold war. i don't want to see a new cold war, i remember the old one, it was pretty nasty, there was a real threat of thermonuclear destruction. that is not coming back, but there is no question our relations with russia are going through a very difficult phase, and we have had to respond to the first use of nerve agent on the european continent since nato was invented. we have expelled, as you know, 23 diplomats — spies masquerading as diplomats. that will eviscerate putin's intelligence capabilities in this country for decades to come. we believe it is the right response, a proportionate response. let's cross to our assistant political editor, norman smith. we have heard the phrase from the

defence secretary telling russia to galway and shut up. slightly different tones coming from those two ministers. i think the one thing that probably unites them is the conviction that russia will almost certainly retaliate. it was interesting listening to the defence secretary. i thought he was just turning down the heat a little bit, in that he suggested that if russia did retaliate, britain would look at responding in what he called the thoughtful and calibrated way, and there would not be any rush to react rapidly. i suspect that is in part because the government has been increasingly encouraged by the voices of support they are hearing from other western leaders, in particular from the un and america overnight and then president macron in that telephone conversation with theresa may this morning, in which he said france completely accepted the british assessment that this was

a russian attack. i suspect what they are thinking is that if there isa they are thinking is that if there is a need to escalate this further, what they would like is to be any position when they can present russia with the much more coordinated international response. and that is why they really will have been encouraged by the signs now that maybe the international community is becoming more on and perhaps looking to move beyond simple words of support. interesting that president macron actually said france would look at possible measures of support over the next few days. i think that is what they are looking at if russia retaliates, as most people expect they will. thank you very much for that. the headlines on bbc newsroom live. the prime minister is visiting salisbury and will be briefed by health officials. the defence secretary announces more funding for chemical weapons defence. and the

police investigation has found a doorfrom police investigation has found a door from grenfell tower could only hold backfire for half the time it was designed to. now for an update from bbc sport. an independent investigation has found the former chief executive of the british it western infirmary is in. that's all the time with opera sports just now, back to you. sorry, we'll come back to you if we can. we're going to salisbury, where theresa may is visiting this lunchtime. this comes on a day weather has been so much activity and statements in relation to the attack on sergei skripal and his daughter in the town. we know that

theresa may is going to be or possibly already has been by public—health england about their response to the attack there. we can talk to our correspondent duncan kennedy, who is in salisbury and perhaps can't tell us a little more about what theresa may will be doing and who she is going to be talking to. the only official thing we have is that she will be meeting public—health england, which is the body that advises the government on matters to do with health. it is also the body that has been advising the public all along on theirs. a few days ago, it urged for 500 people to wash their clothes bag of clothes or wipe their mobile phones and jewellery. that public advices what comes out of that body and she will be being briefed by them. the message to theresa may and the continued message to the public is it is still a very low risk to the public, despite seeing all these people in anti—chemical uniforms.

the risk is low and this is just pa rt the risk is low and this is just part of the police operation to make sure all the vehicles and items involved are sealed and back properly. we have seen separately their chief comes to the wilts what passed us a few minutes ago. we don't know officially that she will be meeting him. it is suspected would—be protocol they would meet the main lease offers a huge at the scene, but we do not know that to be true. i am standing just a few feet from the bench where sergei skripal and his daughter were attacked a few weeks ago. a lot of press have turned up. we're not been told by downing street what mrs may's programmers. the only official thing to come out of downing street in the past are is that the uk had wanted the robust international response to this attack, and that allies had been steadfast in their support. i think mrs may will take a lot of comfort from the words that came out of the white house last night.

france and other countries really backing up what theresa may said in the house of commons yesterday, pointing the finger very firmly in russia in theirs. and indeed, her other ministers as well, because we have had borisjohnson on radio 4 this morning saying this does need robust response, what russia has done, but the public should not be nervous about what is happening. and also in the past hour in bristol, the defence secretary has also been relaying both the political and practical message. he said that what russia had done was reckless, an awful attack, what happened in salisbury. he'll so came up couple of practical measures he said britain is adopting. first, he will be offering british troops serving abroad, especially in specialised units, anthrax vaccination if they wa nt units, anthrax vaccination if they want it. he said as a matter of proportion. he'll so confirmed what was rumoured earlier on in the day that the uk government is putting

£40 million into the porton down research centre, which by the incident happens to be on salisbury plain, notfar incident happens to be on salisbury plain, not farfrom incident happens to be on salisbury plain, not far from where we are. we don't know if that is new money in response to the sergei skripal attacked or whether it was coming a nyway attacked or whether it was coming anyway and mr williamson chose today to announce it. we're not quite sure what it will be used for a porton down. it is by its nature the very secretive unit, a secret establishments. whether it will be far more scientists or laboratories, we don't know. we now as it is going to porton down, which is the centre that identified the nerve agent at the heart of this attack that took place in salisbury weeks ago. reflecting on those government words urging people in salisbury not to be nervous. in the sense of reassuring the public, very important for theresa may to be seen there in person, just as the home secretary was last week. duncan, i am not sure

if you could hear me. i will try again. in terms of public reassurance, to match the words that the people should not be nervous, it's important for mrs may to be seen there in person. acts pretty clear that duncan cannot hear me, and fortunately at the moment. but just to recap, theresa may is in salisbury this lunchtime. we know that she is talking to public—health england. yes, i am that she is talking to public—health england. yes, iam now. ithink we can talk to duncan again now. duncan, i hope you can hear me. i was making the point that is as important to match those words from the government, urging people in salisbury not to be nervous, it's important for theresa may to be better in person, isn't it? very much so. just as we had the reassuring words from the home

secretary a few days before that, so the prime minister is coming here. it's a very visible messages sending out here to the people of salisbury, that as health officials and the police have been saying, there is no need for public alarm about this. we don't know if mrs may will be meeting members of the public or whether she will confine herself to meeting public—health england and possibly senior police officers. and looking around, because there are lots of media gathering here right next the bench where sergei skripal and his daughter were attacked. we don't know if the prime minister will come this way or whether she will come this way or whether she will make a separate trip to the top 75 metres over this way. it is a general message from the government today, not only from the prime minister, but also from boris johnson this morning, saying on the radio that the public should not be worried about what is going on. this is not another cold war. he said that time, 30 or 40 years ago before the end of the soviet union, that

there was an existential threat to countries like us, because we were pointing a nuclear weapons at each other. mrjohnson was trying to reassure the public about that. no doubt to theresa may will take an opportunity to do the same. a lot going on in terms of the government response to all others. it wasn't just that message in the house of commons yesterday, saying 23 diplomats are going to be expelled. it's also mrjohnson on the radio this morning and gavin williamson saying this was a shocking, reckless attack, that the kremlin had flipped up attack, that the kremlin had flipped up the international rule book. i am told that might be movement in the tunnel behind me, not quite sure what's happening down that tunnel. it could be mrs may, and told possibly is mrs may, coming to the scene here, maybe 20 feet or so away round the corner. i cannot show you on this camera, the bench that still has that yellow and white tent put

on it, by the forensic teams at the spot where sergei skripal and his daughter were attacked. there are photographers coming through here. there might be exposure issues with the light, but film crews coming this way. i mightjust stepped out of the way in case it is mrs may coming to the spot where the bench was. here she is, the prime minister is with the chief constable of wilts. i will go a step forward here, steve, to get a good view of mrs may. she is 20 or 30 feet away from the bench. with some other officials, being briefed on what is happening. let's see if we can hear what they are saying. altus get the microphone in here. can we get it

louder? she was able to get there within several minutes of that call and send a rapid response. a little later, the team... yes, you didn't know what you are dealing with. somebody who has had that... could immediately see there was something unusual and was concerned about it. her medical skills came to the fore. the immediate response we also had. yes. yes.

there are shops here, as you can see, and is a populararea. itjust it just emphasises the reckless nature. such an impact on the city centre. it's very busy. mrs may, can i get centre. it's very busy. mrs may, can igeta centre. it's very busy. mrs may, can i get a response to what you have seen today? i am pleased to have been able to come down here to

salisbury, to speak to the people who responded to this terrible incident that took place. as you know, i announced incident that took place. as you know, iannounced in incident that took place. as you know, i announced in the incident that took place. as you know, iannounced in the house incident that took place. as you know, i announced in the house of commons yesterday the action we are taking. we do hold russia culpable for this brazen, brazen act and despicable act that took place on the streets of a remarkable city, where people come and visit and enjoy. i have come here today also to say thank you to our emergency services, to our police, health services, to our police, health services, to our police, health services, to everybody at porton down and elsewhere, public—health england, who have worked hard and continue to work hard to investigate and get to the bottom of those responsible, but also to make sure the public are reassured. it has been great to meet some tourists here in salisbury, people coming to salisbury and still enjoying this great city. thank you. the prime minister is going off down now. we

can, thena minister is going off down now. we can, then a few feet, we have to be careful about signal breaking up, but she's heading towards the mill pub, which was another location for a sergei skripal and his daughter. we can't go too much further, because that picture will break up. we will hold it there, because we will lose that signal. mrs may able to come here, see for herself first—hand. she is just to come here, see for herself first—hand. she isjust going into a shop there, by the looks of it, possibly to talk to local businesses and also to reassure local people that, as boris johnson and also to reassure local people that, as borisjohnson and others have been seen throughout all of theirs, the risks to the public as a result of this nerve agent is low. although they might have seen people with hans kem sits on and everything else around the city, there is no need to worry about that, it is standard operating procedure. shall we go standard operating procedure. shall wegoa standard operating procedure. shall we go a little closer, steve, in case we can get a signal? please be

with that picture is breaking up, we will back. we willjust see what mrs may is doing here. i'll pop the microphone as well. people have been in touch. have ,. . fl , ,