Jeremy Corbyn was branded ‘shameful’ today for launching a party political attack on Theresa May after she accused Russia over a nerve agent attack on UK soil.
The Labour leader condemned the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal but not before lashing the Prime Minister over Russia-linked donations to the Tories.
Mr Corbyn was slammed by MPs on all sides of the Commons and his speech was greeted by jeers of ‘shame’ as he advocated ‘robust’ talks with the Kremlin.
He insisted the Government’s response to the ‘shocking’ attack must focus on ‘reducing tensions’.
Other party leaders, including the SNP’s Ian Blackford, fell in behind Mrs May as she outlined her belief in an ‘unlawful use of force’ against the British state.
Jeremy Corbyn (pictured today in the Commons) was branded ‘shameful’ for launching a party political attack on Theresa May after she accused Russia over a nerve agent attack on UK soil
Sergei Skripal (left) and his daughter Yulia (right) have been in a critical condition since they were found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping centre in Salisbury on March 4
Mr Corbyn was slammed by MPs on all sides of the Commons and his speech was greeted by jeers of ‘shame’ as he advocated ‘robust’ talks with Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin
After Mrs May said it was ‘highly likely’ that Moscow had ordered the use of a ‘military grade’ nerve agent, Mr Corbyn replied: ‘We need to continue seeking a robust dialogue with Russia on all the issues dividing our countries, both domestic and international – rather than simply cutting off contact and simply letting tensions and divisions get worse, and potentially even more dangerous.’
He faced shouts of ‘shame’ and ‘disgrace’ from Conservative MPs as he told the Commons: ‘We’re all familiar with the way huge fortunes, often acquired in the most dubious circumstances in Russia, sometimes connected with criminal elements, have ended up sheltering in London and trying to buy political influence in British party politics.
‘Meddling in elections, as the Prime Minister put it, and there has been over £800,000 worth of donations to the Conservative Party from Russian oligarchs and their associates.’
Mr Corbyn said the investigation into the ‘shocking’ events in Salisbury must ‘reach its conclusion’, adding: ‘We need to see both the evidence and a full account from the Russian authorities in light of emerging evidence that the Prime Minister has just referred to.
‘The action the Government takes once the facts are clear needs to be both decisive and proportionate and focused on reducing conflicts and tensions rather than increasing them.’
Mrs May responded: ‘In relation to Russia, we have a very simple approach to Russia, which is engage but beware.
‘I think this shows how right it is that this Government has been cautious in relation to its relations with Russia.
‘We must all be very well aware of the various ways in which Russia is affecting activity across the continent and elsewhere, there can be no question of business as usual.’
The Labour leader condemned the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal but not before lashing the Prime Minister (pictured making her statement) over Russia-linked donations to the Tories
By contrast, a series of MPs from all parties stood to welcome Mrs May’s strong reply to the apparent assassination attempt.
Home Affairs Committee chair Yvette Cooper said a cross-party stand was needed against Russian aggression.
Former shadow chancellor Chris Leslie said: ‘There should be unity across the House.
‘There are certain circumstances where we take party political differences of opinion but when country is potentially under attack that is just not appropriate.’
Labour MP John Woodcock launched another jibe at Mr Corbyn as he warned: ‘It would put our national security at significant risk if we were led by anyone who did not understand the gravity of the threat Russia poses to this nation. ‘
Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith branded Russia a ‘rogue state’ and demanded the ‘most severe’ response.
He said: ‘If we appease a country like this, then we should expect even worse.’
Conservative MP Johnny Mercer addressed Mr Corbyn directly from the backbenches to tell him: ‘I think I’ve just seen the most shameful moment I’ve seen in the House of Commons in my time to date.’