Russia 'possessed lethal dart frog toxin' used to kill Navalny, UK claims
Yvette Cooper said the poisoning shows the "willingness" of Russia to use "lethal toxins" against their own - and is a sign aggression will continue
The Foreign Secretary has warned Russia of fresh sanctions after evidence emerged that the Kremlin "has had possession" of the deadly poison found in opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
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Yvette Cooper made the claims after the UK government announced on Saturday that Mr Navalny, 47, was killed using a toxin developed from the skin of an Ecuadorian dart frog whilst imprisoned in Siberia two years ago.
Responsibility has been pinned on Moscow and its allies by Britain after an analysis of material samples found on the victim's body.
The frog toxin - called epibatidine - is classed as a chemical weapon and is 200 times stronger than morphine. It is known to cause paralysis, respiratory failure and death.
"Only the Russian regime had the means, the motive and the opportunity to administer this poison while he was in a Russian prison," the foreign secretary told the Munich Security Conference.
Ms Cooper has signalled the UK could impose more sanctions on Russia following the revelations.
The foreign secretary said the behaviour shows the "willingness" of Russia to use "lethal toxins" against their own people, and that it shows this aggression will continue.
Speaking about Navalny's death, she added: "One of the things he said was ‘tell the truth, spread the truth’, because that is the most dangerous weapon of all. That was his comment about the Russian regime."
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"That Cold War peace dividend...has gone, and we need to be ready for Russian aggression continuing towards Europe".
The UK Foreign Office have stated there is no innocent explanation for Epibatidine being found on Mr Navalny's body.
Asked about the consequences of the findings, Ms Cooper said the UK will be looking towards "co-ordinated action" against Moscow, including increasing sanctions on Russia.
Moscow denies the claims and has called the accusation a "planted story".
Ms Cooper said that the UK and its European allies must work to establish strong deterrents and strong surveillance measures in order to ensure national security.