OT - Salisbury Poisoning

[ramAnag]

Why do it now though? They could've done it years ago. Maybe he was about to leak something important?

Either way, I don't see the benefit of escalating the issue. Should be dealt with behind closed doors.

I don't buy the Porton Down conspiracy, they've much worse there (well documented, not local rumour) and could have provided something with less collateral damage, going unnoticed.

Inclined to agree about the ‘behind closed doors’ bit, Adi. Sadly that’s rarely going to happen nowadays so when May makes her pronouncements she’s simultaneously courting popularity amongst the electorate, but I do wish the usual newspaper stirrers (Mail, Express and Sun) would stfu before any more damage is done.
Suppose it’s all taking attention away from the announcements today about the fire doors at Grenfell being unfit for purpose...frankly that should matter more than a rather clumsy attempt at taking out a double agent imo.

[Romanis]

Watching Mrs May clutching at straws in an attempt to show strength. Fact of the matter is Russia is sending a message to all those deemed a threat, you can run but you can't hide.
If the UK stops giving asylum to enemies of Putin, then this thing will stop, in a way this is Britain's doing, they want name recognition, they want money from oligarchs, but they don't want the baggage, No dice.

[Andy_Faber]

Suppose it’s all taking attention away from the announcements today about the fire doors at Grenfell being unfit for purpose...frankly that should matter more than a rather clumsy attempt at taking out a double agent imo.

I agree that Imelda and chums might be 'bigging this up a bit', a sort of sh*t equivalent to Thatcher's Falklands, BUT for every ying theres a yang and even the Grenfell tragedy is becoming tarnished, I've read so many stories (and not in the Mail & Co) of survivors playing the system and nearby residents indulging in good old fashioned fraud and deception. There are few clean hands....

[ramAnag]

I agree that Imelda and chums might be 'bigging this up a bit', a sort of sh*t equivalent to Thatcher's Falklands, BUT for every ying theres a yang and even the Grenfell tragedy is becoming tarnished, I've read so many stories (and not in the Mail & Co) of survivors playing the system and nearby residents indulging in good old fashioned fraud and deception. There are few clean hands....

Oh c’mon Andy, you’re better than that. 71 people died in dreadful circumstances...if that’s not enough the point surely is...how many other UK tower blocks have dangerous cladding and sub standard fire doors?
Our Government engages in the making of an international incident following an apparent attempt on the life of a Russian double agent. A week later some Salisbury folk are told to wash their clothes yet it takes almost nine months for the truth to come out about the Grenfell Tower fire doors.

[Andy_Faber]

Oh c’mon Andy, you’re better than that. 71 people died in dreadful circumstances...if that’s not enough the point surely is...how many other UK tower blocks have dangerous cladding and sub standard fire doors?
Our Government engages in the making of an international incident following an apparent attempt on the life of a Russian double agent. A week later some Salisbury folk are told to wash their clothes yet it takes almost nine months for the truth to come out about the Grenfell Tower fire doors.

We're off the subject but I stand by what I said. First, Grenfell was undoubtedly a tragedy whether there is blame to be attached or not. I wouldn't wish untimely demise on my worst enemy, never mind such innocents. It also brought out the best in those who rushed to help. But, I see no difference in culpability between those who may be found to have ignored/got round fire protection/building/health and safety laws and those who, for instance, have deceived the authorities into providing 'support' (running into sums exceeding my income for sure) to which they clearly have no entitlement. What I will admit in agreement with you (I think I made that point) is that the govt (any govt, any colour) is capable of inflating/suppressing any incident that comes along to suit their needs and have done so many times in the past

[ramAnag]

We're off the subject but I stand by what I said. First, Grenfell was undoubtedly a tragedy whether there is blame to be attached or not. I wouldn't wish untimely demise on my worst enemy, never mind such innocents. It also brought out the best in those who rushed to help. But, I see no difference in culpability between those who may be found to have ignored/got round fire protection/building/health and safety laws and those who, for instance, have deceived the authorities into providing 'support' (running into sums exceeding my income for sure) to which they clearly have no entitlement. What I will admit in agreement with you (I think I made that point) is that the govt (any govt, any colour) is capable of inflating/suppressing any incident that comes along to suit their needs and have done so many times in the past

We’re not, imo, entirely off the subject. The subject is, at least partly, how the Government handles major issues. Where Russia is concerned they appear to have acted impetuously, not thought through their actions and the possible consequences and set standing and talking tough above all else. Just like Thatcher with the Falklands they are again, as you describe, using incidents to ‘suit their needs’ and agenda.
Compare and contrast with the gradual and painfully slow emergence of facts about Grenfell. Of course what is now emerging will make no difference to the victims but we have to be asking questions about where else the conditions that led to the Grenfell tragedy have been replicated amongst other tower blocks in the country. That really is a matter of urgency and the fact that it has taken nearly nine months for the fire doors issue to be made public does not inspire confidence.
Your observations about those who seek to falsely ‘profit’ from the Grenfell tragedy are where we went off topic. Of course these sad/desperate/scummy (delete as appropriate) people are entirely in the wrong but it is invariably the case that in the event of any tragedy - from 9/11 to the Bradford fire to numerous road accidents - there will be a tiny minority who seek to turn events to their advantage, but their wrongdoing, imo, cannot be compared with those who deliberately put the lives of others at risk in the search for increased profit.

[Trickytreesreds]

We’re not, imo, entirely off the subject. The subject is, at least partly, how the Government handles major issues. Where Russia is concerned they appear to have acted impetuously, not thought through their actions and the possible consequences and set standing and talking tough above all else. Just like Thatcher with the Falklands they are again, as you describe, using incidents to ‘suit their needs’ and agenda.
Compare and contrast with the gradual and painfully slow emergence of facts about Grenfell. Of course what is now emerging will make no difference to the victims but we have to be asking questions about where else the conditions that led to the Grenfell tragedy have been replicated amongst other tower blocks in the country. That really is a matter of urgency and the fact that it has taken nearly nine months for the fire doors issue to be made public does not inspire confidence.
Your observations about those who seek to falsely ‘profit’ from the Grenfell tragedy are where we went off topic. Of course these sad/desperate/scummy (delete as appropriate) people are entirely in the wrong but it is invariably the case that in the event of any tragedy - from 9/11 to the Bradford fire to numerous road accidents - there will be a tiny minority who seek to turn events to their advantage, but their wrongdoing, imo, cannot be compared with those who deliberately put the lives of others at risk in the search for increased profit.

Using the Falklands to suit their needs?
They were INVADED!!! The population held against its will, under the barrel of a gun. The International community told them to get out. They didn't and action was needed.

Corbyn since then, has tried to sell those people down the river.
Lovely quote I saw today. Had corbyn been in London in 1940. He have refused to believe the bombs were German, unless shown shrapnel, with made in Munich stamped on it, with a certificate of authentication.

Luckily, the NATO countries have now agreed, its fishy and not followed Corbyns badge protest.

[ramAnag]

Using the Falklands to suit their needs?
They were INVADED!!! The population held against its will, under the barrel of a gun. The International community told them to get out. They didn't and action was needed.

Corbyn since then, has tried to sell those people down the river.
Lovely quote I saw today. Had corbyn been in London in 1940. He have refused to believe the bombs were German, unless shown shrapnel, with made in Munich stamped on it, with a certificate of authentication.

Luckily, the NATO countries have now agreed, its fishy and not followed Corbyns badge protest.

Tricky, I’m no Corbyn apologist...I’d much prefer Starmer to be leading the opposition...but on this occasion he’s right. Go through the proper channels, don’t jump to conclusions and trade schoolyard jibes like our pitiful Foreign and Defence Secretaries.
Talking of ‘schoolyard jibes’...if you and Adlestrop must exchange insults can’t you do it on your own site? We try to be a bit more grown up on here.