Brazen Russia shockingly claim 'Britain was BEHIND and directed Syria chemical attack'

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Brazen Russia shockingly claim 'Britain was BEHIND and directed Syria chemical attack'

RUSSIA has sensationally claimed that Britain had "direct involvement" in the lethal chemical that killed dozens of civilians and sparked an international crisis in Syria.

Russia's Ministry of Defence has sought to absolve Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of any guilt by blaming a rebel group, called the White Helmets, for carrying out the alleged chemical attack.

In an extraordinary statement, the Russian MoD accused Britain of orchestrating the "provocation" in Douma, in Eastern Ghouta, near the capital, Damascus.

Spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov said the Russian MoD has "evidence" Britain "seriously pressured" the White Helmets to commit the atrocity, without elaborating.

“The Russian Defense Ministry ... has evidence that Britain had a direct involvement in arranging this provocation in Eastern Ghouta,” Konashenkov has claimed.

“We know for certain that between April 3 and April 6 the so-called White Helmets were seriously pressured from London to speed up the provocation that they were preparing.”

The unsubstantiated claims are the latest fanciful accusations to be levelled at Britain in the wake of the poisoning of ex-Russia spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

In relation to the Syrian chemical attack, Russian officials and military chiefs have issued a series of contradictory statements, some even denying the "barbaric act" took place at all.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Konashenkov presented interviews with two apparent medics who have been working in a hopsital in Douma, a rebel-held enclave.

In the interview, the two medics questioned the authenticity of footage showing civilians being treated for apparent chemical injuries.

“Please, notice. These people do not hide their names. These are not some faceless claims on the social media by anonymous activists. They took part in taking that footage,” Konashenkov added.

His comments mirror those of Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, who claimed Moscow had “irrefutable” evidence the attack was staged with the help of a foreign secret service.

Lavrov said Russian experts have inspected the site of the alleged attack in Douma, just east of Damascus, and found no trace of chemical weapons.

He said Moscow has "irrefutable information that it was another fabrication".

Russia made similar claims about the suspected chemical attack in Salisbury on March 4, which independent investigators confirmed involved a Soviet-era nerve agent.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has warned against military action in Syria, accusing Theresa May of "waiting for instructions" from US President Donald Trump.

He said firing missiles at Assad would risk "escalating an already devastating conflict" and scolded the US for "giving alarmingly contradictory signals".

"Even US defence secretary James Mattis has said we 'don't have evidence' and warned further military action could 'escalate out of control'," he added.

Mrs May and Trump agreed on the need "to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime" in a phone call on Thursday night.

The PM has persuaded her cabinet that Assad was “highly likely” to have been responsible for the “abhorrent” attack.

Senior ministers agreed that Britain cannot let the attack “go unchallenged” but stopped short of giving their approval for military action in partnership with the US and France.

A statement released by Downing Street tonight did not explain what action will be taken or whether MPs will be given a vote on the matter.

The largest US air and naval strike force since the 2003 Iraq war was said to be heading towards, according to reports in The Times.

A strike against Syria is expected within the next three days.

Daily Star Sunday