Westminster today - as it happened: Theresa May says Russia 'highly likely' behind poison attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter
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Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May has said it is "highly likely that Russia was responsible" for the Salisbury nerve agent attack.
The Prime Minister has been been updating MPs on the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, following warnings from a senior Tory MP that the incident amounted to "state-sponsored attempted murder".
This live blog has now ended.
Labour MP Chuka Umunna has written a piece for The Independent, looking ahead to the Chancellor's Spring Statement tomorrow.
Read his piece here:
Commons leader Andrea Leadsom is to recommend a short, independent inquiry into reports of bullying of Parliamentary staff.
She says the reports are "of huge concern" and says it is clear that the Commons Respect policy, designed to deal with bullying and harassment, may not be sufficient to protect House staffers.
Taking an urgent question on the issue from Green MP Caroline Lucas, Ms Leadsom says she will propose the inquiry when the Commons commission next meets.
Conservative MP James Duddridge asks if it is "appropriate" for Speaker John Bercow chairs a debate on bullying given that there are allegations against "which he is trying to suppress using taxpayer-funded money".
Andrea Leadsom swerves the question, saying only it is "absolutely vital that all colleagues stand together" to ensure staff "are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve"
Police have cordoned off the upper floor of Sainsbury's car park in The Maltings shopping area of Salisbury, reports The Independent's Jon Sharman.
The supermarket, which remains open for business, is adjacent to the park area where Sergei Skripal was found seriously ill from the effect of a nerve agent last week.
Forensic tents and further cordons are still in place there.
Blue-and-white police tape restricts access from a number of stairwells, though at least one member of the public has been allowed to retrieve their car from the upper deck.
A police car is blocking the ramp up from ground level, where nothing is visible of the activity higher up on the squat brick-and-concrete structure.
Shoppers are still able to use the lower parking area.
It comes as Theresa May faces pressure to plan strong retaliation against Russia over the poisoning of Mr Skripal and ahead of fresh security talks with the Cabinet.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed questions about his state's alleged involvement in the Sergei Skripal case.
During a visit to a grain centre, he told the BBC: "We're dealing with agriculture here... and you talk to me about some tragedies.
"Get to the bottom of things there, then we'll discuss this."
Labour MP Paul Farrelly, who was accused of bullying staff in Newsnight's report, says he has been "flayed by selective leaking" and asks people not to rush to judgement following a "one-sided selective BBC broadcast".
He suggests historic accusations are being "selectively recycled" and implies there are ulterior motives at play.
Prime Minister Theresa May has begun her statement on the Salisbury spy poisoning. She opens by paying tribute to emergency services, particularly police officer Nick Bailey, who is recovering in hospital.
She says "as a nation that believes in justice and the rule of law it is essential we proceed in the right way, led not by speculation, but by evidence".
'Highly likely Russia was responsible for poisoning', says Prime Minister
Theresa May says the Salisbury attack was carried out using a "military grade" nerve agent known as novichok, developed by Russia.
She says "the government has concluded it was highly likely Russia was responsible" for the attack.
The Prime Minister suggests either the either poisoning was a "direct" attack by the Russian state or the country lost control of its chemical weapons.
The Government has summoned Russian ambassador Alexander Yakovenko to the Foreign Office to explain.
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