THE reason the UK – bizarrely – has found itself somewhat on the back foot over the latest Russian murder in the UK is because Boris Johnson shot his mouth off at the wrong time, saying the wrong thing yet again (Russia ignores May’s ultimatum over poisoning, The National, March 14).

For a nanosecond the ball was in our court. But, not for the first time, Boris Johnson’s premature verbal ejaculation meant that May had to quickly come and bluster over the nonsense – in this case with the midnight deadline – now passed – embarrassingly.

Russia quite rightly pointed out there is protocol even for situations as crazy as this and the UK – thanks to Johnson – did not follow that protocol.

What is the phrase? Oh yes – plucking defeat out of the jaws of victory.
Amanda Baker
Edinburgh

OK, we’re a bit thin on evidence. Motive, well yes we’re a bit thin on motive too, but it was defiantly the Russians that did it.

Have we heard anything over the last week that is conclusive that Russia tried to kill an ex-British spy along with his daughter? Have we had any news outlet with a balanced view on this subject, other than reiterating press releases sent to them by Westminster?

Now I accept May has more resources than I to get at the truth, and if she does have evidence of Russian involvement let’s hear it. I for one will not simply swallow whatever May and her cohorts tell me. Why they have lied too often to have any credibility left.

Now the media is full of suggestions as to what action May should take over Russia’s non-compliance with her ultimatum. For me, they have treated her threat with the contempt it deserves. This is all about control; we hear that one of the ways she might retaliate would be to stop RT from broadcasting in the UK, sounds like censorship to me.

Now you may have difficulties with Alex Salmond, but had you watched his shows broadcast on RT over a three-week period when he interviewed, Bertie Ahern, Mary Lou McDonald and Mary McAleese, you would have heard more truth and wisdom from people in authority in Ireland than we have heard out of Westminster in the past two years talking about Ireland and its border with the UK after we leave the EU.

RT shines a light on what is going on in the world and is a counterbalance to Westminster’s propaganda machine.
Walter Hamilton
via email

I DIDN’T join the SNP 58 years to trot along behind the US/UK imperialist spin agenda and I have no idea why the SNP seems determined to put its oar into various international disputes which have nothing to do with us and will have nothing to do with an independent, progressive, peaceful non-nuclear Scotland. My major imperative all these years is to get out of this evil axis.

I harbour no illusions about the unscrupulous nature of the Russian state.

But neither do I harbour any illusions about the unscrupulous US one (and its little sidekick the UK) which has to, our certain knowledge over the past half century helped bring down two heads of state, incinerated Vietnam, reduced Afghanistan to incoherence, invaded Iraq (twice) with anything up to one million civilian deaths resulting, and knocked Libya back to the middle ages. Match that, Mr Putin!

As our friend Saudi Arabia destroys Yemen with British bombs and US/UK shell and kill thousands in the Iraqi city of Mosul with no media coverage whatsoever we have SNP figures repeating the utter nonsense we are being fed about Syria where the legitimate and democratically elected Syrian government is battling an invasion of externally funded and armed Islamic fanatics. Putin, of course, called the US bluff on Syria. That can’t be allowed.

And what is entirely unacceptable is for the SNP to adopt contentious and divisive positions which many of us find unacceptable on matters that have nothing to do with our drive for independence.
David McEwan Hill
Sandbank, Argyll

THERESA May and her little gang of Tories continue to insist that Russia is responsible for the events in Salisbury on the strength of a “highly likely” verdict. To smear a country without hard evidence is the hallmark of yet another false-flag incident.

This scenario is continuously played out in America where Russia is now the major threat to world peace. The Americans with their behaviour worldwide is now being promoted by their British lapdogs spreading fear and yet more restrictions on our freedom.

Independence cannot come soon enough.
James Sinclair
Aberdeen

THIS appears to be an example of grandstanding by the strong-and -table UK Government.

How do they know that the chemical weapon was produced in Russia?

Surely if the composition can be analysed there would be no problem in reproducing the substance anywhere with the facilities.

How do they know that it was the Russian government that authorised this attack?

So many unanswered questions at the moment that the threat of such drastic action appears to be a bit premature.
John Jamieson
​Edinburgh