Gavin Williamson shows his inexperience

As Jeremy Corbyn comes under pressure from his own party over his stance on Russia, Theresa May is looking increasingly statesman-like by comparison. The Prime Minister’s handling of the attempted murder of a former Russian double agent on British soil has won her praise – with a SkyData poll today finding that 69pc surveyed would prefer May to deal with Russia than the Labour leader.

So, more’s the pity for the Conservatives that today Gavin Williamson put in some rather un-statesman like behaviour. The Defence Secretary used an appearance in Bristol – where he pledged £50 million for a new chemical weapon defence centre – to issue Moscow with a warning. Speaking in response to Russia’s plans to expel British diplomats following the Prime Minister’s sanctions, Williamson told Russia to… ‘go away and shut up’.

"Frankly Russia should go away, it should shut up" – UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson asked about Russia's response to its diplomats being expelled https://t.co/MoQBur2QI3