Jeremy Corbyn’s ‘dialogue with Russia’ comments condemned

Mr Corbyn faced shouts of “shame” and “disgrace” from Tory MPs after raising questions about donations from Russian oligarchs to the Conservative Party.

He also faced implicit criticism from some of his backbench MPs for appearing to make party political points.

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson urged ‘robust action’ against those using the UK as a battleground (Liam McBurney/PA)

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Corbyn condemned the “deeply alarming attack” and said the events in Salisbury had “appalled the country and need thorough investigation”.

He also said: “We need to continue seeking a robust dialogue with Russia on all the issues dividing our countries, both domestic and international – rather than simply cutting off contact and simply letting tensions and divisions get worse, and potentially even more dangerous.”

Mr Corbyn was heckled by angry Tory MPs as he told the Commons: “We’re all familiar with the way huge fortunes, often acquired in the most dubious circumstances in Russia, sometimes connected with criminal elements, have ended up sheltering in London and trying to buy political influence in British party politics.

“Meddling in elections, as the Prime Minister put it, and there has been over £800,000 worth of donations to the Conservative Party from Russian oligarchs and their associates.”

Mr Wilson later said there needed to be “robust action” against those using the UK as a battleground.

He asked: “Does the Prime Minister agree that in the face of yet further aggression from the Russian Mafia state, that the policy of the Leader of the Opposition to engage in robust dialogue will only encourage Putin to engage in further acts of state-sponsored terror?”

Mrs May said she agreed “we need to ensure we do, in fact, respond robustly to this matter”.

She added: “We need to do so with careful consideration of the assessments that have been made and the information that is available to us, and that is exactly what the Government is doing.

“I think nobody in this House should be in any doubt that there can be no suggestion of business as usual in relation to our interaction with Russia.”

Conservative Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee, said: “This, if not an act of war, was certainly a warlike act by the Russian Federation and this is not the first we’ve seen.

“While some in this House have stayed silent and decided to join the information warfare that that state is conducting against us and our allies, we have seen them invade countries in the east, attack allies, attempt to kill prime ministers and even now they are backing the murderous Assad regime which (thinks) nothing in gassing its own people.

“And (Mr Corbyn) stays silent.”

Conservative MP Johnny Mercer (Plymouth Moor View) said: “I think I’ve just seen – and I look at my honourable friend opposite as I say this – the most shameful moment in this House of Commons in my time to date.

“It’s clear this sovereign United Kingdom has come under attack from another state.”

Labour former minister Chris Leslie also told MPs: “There are certain circumstances, as (Mrs May) knows, that we take party political differences of opinion.

“But when our country is potentially under attack, that is just not appropriate.”

Mrs May, in her reply, said of matters involving what another state may have done on British soil: “That should be a matter that would concern all of us and should be above party politics.”

Fellow Labour MP John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) drew cheers from the Tory benches after praising Mrs May’s response.

He said: “The level of resilience voiced by the Prime Minister in the chamber today has been many years in coming but it is hugely welcome.

“Indeed it would put our national security at significant risk if we were led by anyone who did not understand the gravity of the threat which Russia poses to this nation.”