UK accuses Russia of violating Chemical Weapons Convention

Britain is accusing Russia of violating the Chemical Weapons Convention by failing to declare the military-grade nerve agent Novichok which it says was used to poison an ex-Russian agent.

Britain's deputy UN ambassador Jonathan Allen said Russia informed the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which monitors the convention last September, that it completed the destruction of its stockpiles and facilities.

But he told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council called by Britain that Russia never declared Novichok which it was required to do, and therefore it is "in serious breach of the chemical weapons program."

Allen said that fact alone should negate any Russian arguments "about the possibility of other countries having inherited this technology."

He said Russia "either did not care that the weapon used would be traced back to them, or mistakenly believed they could cover their traces."

Allen said Britain knows there will be more threats and attacks from Russia denying any involvement, US News reported.

He said that "this is how Russia has acted in every other case where it has been caught flouting international law — denial, distraction and threats."

But Allen said Britain won't let threats "weaken our resolve" in standing "firm" for democracy, the rule of law "and the freedom of our people."