Putin can laugh from afar

Sir, – Any statesponsored assassination attempts should be roundly condemned but how many nations could convince the rest of us their country sits on the moral high ground in these matters?

Investigations following the recent nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia pointed the finger at Russia in general and President Putin in particular, giving the British Prime Minister the opportunity for a grandstanding performance in the House of Commons, which not unexpectedly gained substantial all-party support for positive actions against the perceived perpetrators of such a cowardly act.

The expected expulsion of Russian diplomats has taken place, accompanied by proposals for forms of financial restrictions, none of which, according to experts whose views are not clouded by patriotic verve, will unduly concern President Putin.

Russia still has friends in the rest of the big, wide world and Britain’s influence has been weakened by the turmoil surrounding Brexit.

In the meantime, Mr Putin can sit safely in his comfort zone, waving to Westminster with a gesture akin to that associated with Britain’s war-time leader, Winston Churchill, or perhaps the more recent version accredited to the famous show jumper Harvey Smith.

Allan. A. MacDougall. 37 Forth Park, Bridge of Allan.