Former Cabinet Minister likens Russia to Nazis

Former cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell has likened Russia’s attacks on the city of Aleppo to the raid on Guernica, Spain by the Nazis in the 1930s.

10:12 12 October 2016

The UK government has strongly criticised Russia’s bombing of Syria. Former cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell likened the attacks to Nazis while UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said that Russia is risking becoming an international “pariah” following its bomb attacks in Syria.

 

He said: "I'm personally very attracted to the idea of getting these people to come before the International Criminal Court. That's certainly something I would like to pursue."

He said: "If Russia continues on its current path then I believe that that great country is in danger of becoming a pariah nation."

 

The Russian Embassy in the UK hit back at Mr Johnson on Twitter, saying: "Very unusual call from the foreign secretary to hold demonstrations in front of the Russian embassy.

 

"New form of British diplomacy?"

 

Meanwhile, President Francois Hollande has suggested that Russia could face war crimes charges over its actions in Aleppo, the northern Syrian city that has become a key battleground in the country’s bloody five-year civil war. A UN relief convoy was attacked from the air last month – an action widely blamed on Russia.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied carrying out the action. He cancelled a visit to France after Mr Hollande said that he would only talk to the Russian leader about Syria.