Boris Johnson condemns ‘wearying barrage of Russian lies’ and compares Salisbury attack to Crime and Punishment

‘We are all confident of the culprit – and the only question is whether he will confess or be caught,’ says Foreign Secretary

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says Salisbury nerve agent attack triggered a ‘global wave of revulsion’ against Russia (Reuters)

Boris Johnson has compared the Salisbury nerve agent attack to the classic Russian novel Crime and Punishment, saying: “We are all confident of the culprit – and the only question is whether he will confess or be caught.”

The Foreign Secretary cited Fyodor Dostoevsky’s literary epic in an attack on the “wearying barrage of Russian lies” over the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, which has prompted international outcry and led to mass expulsions of Russian diplomats from 27 countries.

In a major foreign policy speech in London, Mr Johnson said the attempted murder of the Skripals has triggered a “global wave of revulsion”, which should act as a wake-up call to Moscow.

He also sought to disparage the Kremlin by comparing the Russian-made nerve agent, novichok, to the iconic lightsaber from Star Wars, which he claimed was invented in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.

Addressing dignitaries at the Lord Mayor’s Easter Banquet, Mr Johnson said: “It seems clear that the Kremlin underestimated the strength of global feeling.

“I do not for one moment believe that this global wave of revulsion has been prompted solely by Salisbury, let alone a sentimental love or affection for the UK.

“It wasn’t about us. It was about all of us and the kind of world we want to live in. Because, I believe these expulsions represent a moment when a feeling has suddenly crystallised.

“When years of vexation and provocation have worn the collective patience to breaking point, and when across the world – across three continents – there are countries who are willing to say enough is enough.”

He condemned the string of “intercontinental ballistic whoppers” from the Kremlin, ranging from claims Theresa May had invented novichok, to allegations Britain mounted the attack to spoil the upcoming World Cup.

Mr Johnson said: “In fact the Foreign Office has so far counted 24 such ludicrous fibs – and so I am glad that 27 countries have stood up to say that they are not swallowing that nonsense any more.

“It is rather like the beginning of Crime and Punishment in the sense that we are all confident of the culprit – and the only question is whether he will confess or be caught.”

Mr Johnson, one of the leading cabinet Brexiteers, said the strong backing from international allies during the diplomatic row would bode well for Britain’s future outside of the European Union.

Outlining his hopes for a “Global Britain” after Brexit, Mr Johnson also used Britain’s economic, cultural and intellectual successes to criticise Russia.

He said: “Both of the two highest grossing movies in the world last year were either shot or produced in this country – Beauty and the Beast and Star Wars.

“And what is the principal utensil of violence in Star Wars... that tells you all you need to know about the difference between modern Britain and the government of Vladimir Putin.

“They make novichok, we make lightsabers.”

He added: “I tell you that the arsenals of this country and of our friends are not stocked with poison but with something vastly more powerful – the power of imagination and creativity and innovation that comes with living in a free society, of a kind you see all around you today.

“And it is that power that will prevail.”