A spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry has dismissed suggestions by the UK Foreign Secretary that Russia might be behind the unexplained illness of a former Russian spy in Britain.
Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, are in a critical condition after collapsing in the southwest English city of Salisbury on Sunday (Monday NZT).
Tests are underway to try to identify what made them ill, and police have cordoned off a restaurant and a pub.
The police force says health authorities do not think there is a risk to public health.
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Tuesday (overnight NZT) that Britain may not participate "in the normal way" in this summer's soccer World Cup in Russia if Moscow is proven to be behind the incident.
England was the only team from the UK to qualify for tournament, which is scheduled to take place in June and July.
Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons that Britain will have a "robust" response if Russian involvement is proven, including sanctions and other measures.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday dismissed Johnson's remarks about a possible Russian involvement as "wild."
British counterterrorism police say they are now leading the investigating into the unexplained illness, although it hasn't been declared a terrorist incident.
Dimitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, said Tuesday that there has been no request for help but that "Moscow is always ready to cooperate."
SHARE ME