In line with diplomatic protocol, he was addressed by senior official at the department at yesterday’s meeting. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “The Russian Ambassador to the UK was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The UK Government registered its deep concern with the Russian Government about the poisoning of Alexey Navalny with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group.
“The Foreign Secretary has made it clear that it is absolutely unacceptable that a banned chemical weapon has been used, and that violence has again been directed against a leading Russian opposition figure.”
The spokesman added: “There is a case here for Russia to answer. This took place on Russian soil, against a Russian citizen. They have international obligations to uphold. This is nothing short of an attack against the rules based international system which keeps our societies safe.
“Russia needs to conduct a full, transparent criminal investigation into Mr Navalny’s poisoning. We will work with our partners, including through action in the Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons to hold the perpetrators to account.”
Mr Navalny, a prominent opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is recovering in Germany following the attack, which echoed the Novichok poisoning in Salisbury two years ago.
He was yesterday reported to have come out of an induced coma and was said to be responsive.
Kremlin officials have denied the Russian Government was involved in the poisoning.
Mr Raab wrote on Twitter: “Today the UK summoned Russia’s Ambassador to the UK to register deep concern about the poisoning of Alexey Navalny.
“It’s completely unacceptable that a banned chemical weapon has been used and Russia must hold a full, transparent investigation.
“Relieved to hear that Alexei Navalny has been taken out of the medically induced coma. I hope his condition continues to improve.”
Mr Navalny fell ill on a flight to Moscow from Siberia last month.
He was transferred to Berlin for treatment.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that Mr Navalny was the victim of “attempted murder.”
