Abstract

The refusal to a party charged with a serious criminal of an opportunity to test the evidence and investigate the circumstances,

Article

In respect of the British accusations against Russia of nerve gas attempted murder of a former Russian spy/defector, and his daughter, it is difficult to understand why Britain weakens its position by refusing to provide the Russian government with samples and the opportunity to investigate. Russia has pleaded Not Guilty,and as the party charged with a very serious offence shouold have the opportunity to test the evidence and to investigate the circumstances alleged to supporting the charge.  This is strong standard justice in respect of any criminal charge.

Britain's refusal to do so throws serious doubt on the bona fides of its claims when it would have had strong political motives to use such a serious matter to create a diversion from its own difficulties. The doubt is fortified by its gross begging of the question in its self-justification - that it would be like Scotland Yard's inviting Dr Moriarty to assist in the investigation of his crime. Rather, it is llike accusing a person of a crime and refusing him the opportunity of defending effectively because he is charged with it and thereefore guilty.

The case is not shown by the evidence led to be overwhelming, except for the rhetoric. An alternative suspect is some extreme Russian nationalist who could with enough money and private support obtain the nerve agent. This may be read with the question whether the plainly foreseeable harsh consequences would not have deterred the Russian Government from action on such a comparitively trivial (to it) matter.