Another Russian spy hit?

[jusali]

As a complete cynic, what's this glittery sensationalist story actually distracting us from?

 

[SpookyFrank]

As a complete cynic, what's this glittery sensationalist story actually distracting us from?

The government just got rid of free school meals for about a million kids.

 

[AnnaKarpik]

What’s more believable:

Russia has assassinated a treasonous traitor.

Or

Britain has manufactured it to look that way in order to raise tensions with a military power superior to ourselves whilst losing the support of countless countries when it transpires that this has happened.

I think it's entirely believable that HMG hasn't got a clue who done it and are blaming the Russians because a) it is easily believable and b) a culprit has to be found quickly and c) they can get away with it.

 

[not-bono-ever]

Russia needs the UK to launder its money, and the UK needs the comission on that laundered money. I suspect Russia can more easily replace London than London can replace Russia, so that makes meaningful economic action from the UK unlikely.

The wording on mays statement is interesting

Freezing Russian state assets “wherever we have the evidence that they may be used to threaten the life or property of U.K. nationals or residents”. Police to target “serious criminals and corrupt elites.” “There is no place for these people -- or their money -- in our country.”

The first one is quite specific.

 

[Magnus McGinty]

I think it's entirely believable that HMG hasn't got a clue who done it and are blaming the Russians because a) it is easily believable and b) a culprit has to be found quickly and c) they can get away with it.

And why is it easily believable? Because it’s the sort of thing Russia does.

 

[SpookyFrank]

“There is no place for these people -- or their money -- in our country.”

Except for the Oligarch theme park formerly known as London

 

[butchersapron]

The wording on mays statement is interesting

Freezing Russian state assets “wherever we have the evidence that they may be used to threaten the life or property of U.K. nationals or residents”

• 
  Police to target “serious criminals and corrupt elites.” “There is no place for these people -- or their money -- in our country.”

It sounds wide ranging at first then on inspection it narrows down - then on third look it means they can do what they want to whoever they want and don't have to say why due to security reasons. So it's ultra-carte-blanche.

 

[not-bono-ever]

Russia is Begbie in this scenario - throwing the pint glass from the balcony into the crowd at the bar = chaos

 

[SpookyFrank]

I think it's entirely believable that HMG hasn't got a clue who done it and are blaming the Russians because a) it is easily believable and b) a culprit has to be found quickly and c) they can get away with it.

HMG blaming Putin through sheer lack of better ideas is certainly more believable than them executing some subtle and devious false flag stunt with no obvious motive and a non-trivial risk of getting found out.

 

[not-bono-ever]

It used to be gadaffi who carried the blame for most things in the old days - whatever happened to him ?

 

[SpookyFrank]

It used to be gadaffi who carried the blame for most things in the old days - whatever happened to him ?

Tony Blair decided he was alright after all. Then Dave Cameron decided he wasn't. Now he's dead and Libya continues to live happily ever after.

And somewhere in there Hilary Clinton sent some emails which the Russians later got hold of, but that's a story for another day.

 

[Spymaster]

The first one is quite specific.

That spook on the radio suggested that "they" have a very expensive penthouse that overlooks the MOD buildings that's probably on the grab list.

 

[butchersapron]

Tony Blair decided he was alright after all. Then Dave Cameron decided he wasn't. Now he's dead and Libya continues to live happily ever after.

And somewhere in there Hilary Clinton sent some emails which the Russians later got hold of, but that's a story for another day.

Any libyans involved at all?

 

[Spymaster]

HMG blaming Putin through sheer lack of better ideas is certainly more believable than them executing some subtle and devious false flag stunt with no obvious motive and a non-trivial risk of getting found out.

HMG knowing exactly what has gone on via intelligence and scientific sources that they are unlikely to ever make public, is far more believable.

 

[teqniq]

Twitter spat involving amongst others Craig Murray, who imo has bitten off more than he can chew.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Any libyans involved at all?

No. When researching my post which was obviously intended to serve as a comprehensive and unabridged history of the Libyan revolution I didn't come across anything about Libyans. Gadaffi himself was famously Chinese of course.

 

[not-bono-ever]

It sounds wide ranging at first then on inspection it narrows down - then on third look it means they can do what they want to whoever they want and don't have to say why due to security reasons. So it's ultra-carte-blanche.

It all depends upon the delivery here - they comments are both vague yet specific enough to mean something/nothing - but also to allow an escape route for both parties if needed.

ETA, UWO's came in at the end of January, which sorta pre-empts the Russian criminal stuff mentioned and would likely be used anyway. I knew there was something that covered this already

Unexplained Wealth Orders: what you need to know

 

[butchersapron]

No. When researching my post which was obviously intended to serve as a comprehensive and unabridged history of the Libyan revolution I didn't come across anything about Libyans. Gadaffi himself was famously Chinese of course.

That's good - the libyans enthused by the uprisings in tunisia and egypt protesting about housing that kicked it off can easily be ignored in favour of a narrative of simple british/western manipulation. Like Syria. Don't protest or they'll get you.

 

[2hats]

Twitter spat involving amongst others Craig Murray, who imo has bitten off more than he can chew.

Ex-diplomat-turned-conspiraloonspud-fails-to-understand-highly-relevant-scientific-technical-aspects shocker. Not.

 

[SpookyFrank]

That's good - the libyans enthused by the uprisings in tunisia and egypt protesting about housing that kicked it off can easily be ignored in favour of a narrative of simple british/western manipulation. Like Syria. Don't protest or they'll get you.

Poe's law - Wikipedia

 

[Combustible]

Salisbury conveiniently close to Porton Down , Makes you think.

I like the idea that a crack team of British agents performing a false flag operation to frame the Russians couldn't be arsed to drive more than 30 minutes up the road. Do you think their travel expenses wouldn't stretch any further?

 

[existentialist]

This is for internal Russian consumption. What the rest of the world think about it is secondary and therefore don’t look for logic that might superficially appeal over here.

I think there is little risk of our squirrelly friend looking for logic anywhere...

 

[existentialist]

Only if you can't think...

So, these Machiavellian types at Porton Down - where do think they live? Where do you think they go for a pizza at the weekend? Where do you think their kids play?

Does it begin to occur to you that perhaps the least likely place on earth that people from Porton Down are going to spread out a nerve agent is the place they live and socialise, and the places their children play and go to school?

Or are you a weapons grade fucknugget with the intellect of a house brick?

Fuck off. Some of my best friends are house bricks.

 

[krtek a houby]

Salisbury conveiniently close to Porton Down , Makes you think.

Indeed. Does the stew need a bit more thickening or is it lacking a bit of spice?

 

[elbows]

The leaders of France, Germany, the US and UK have issued a joint statement on the nerve agent attack in the UK, saying Russian responsibility was the "only plausible explanation".

The statement condemned the "first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second World War", calling it an assault on UK sovereignty.

Allies condemn chemical attack on ex-spy

 

[Spymaster]

France wants proof before responding on Britain poisoning affair

Not any more. I guess they got their proof. Is that good enough for you?

France agrees with UK that Russia to blame for spy poison attack

Since the beginning of the week, the United Kingdom has kept France closely informed of the evidence gathered by British investigators, as well as the elements showing Russia’s responsibility in the attack. France shares the UK’s conclusion that there is no other plausible explanation, and reiterates its solidarity with its ally.

(my emph)

"No other plausible explanation" for attack than UK's - France in the United Kingdom - La France au Royaume-Uni

 

[not-bono-ever]

As U.K. Waits for Putin Response, It Says ‘Go Away and Shut Up’

Slimy Williamson is angling for the top job blates.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Or are you a weapons grade fucknugget with the intellect of a house brick?

One of the best loon put-downs ever.

 

[existentialist]

One of the best loon put-downs ever.

"fucknugget" definitely helped, but it's also improved by excellent scansion.

 

[kebabking]

As U.K. Waits for Putin Response, It Says ‘Go Away and Shut Up’

Slimy Williamson is angling for the top job blates.

he's been going for it since he went from Chief Whip to Defence - to be fair, whatever his personal ambition may be, he's stood up for his department against the Treasury to a degree the MOD hasn't seen in perhaps 30 years. i don't doubt that the defence budget is being used as his chariot, but he's delivering (for the moment).