Salisbury novichok suspects say they were only visiting cathedral – our favourite 25 responses
The two men identified as suspects in the Salisbury nerve agent attack have told Russian state-funded TV that they were only in the town as tourists visiting its cathedral and famous 123 metre spire.
In their first interview since being charged in the UK with attempted murder, the men said they may have accidentally approached Sergei Skripal’s house on 4 March but denied carrying any poison or that they had committed any crime.
“Our friends had been suggesting for a long time that we visit this wonderful town,” said a man who identified himself as Alexander Petrov.
Suspects in poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal tell state-sponsored RT they were in Salisbury to see the city's "famous cathedral" https://t.co/IpM4cMQwlj pic.twitter.com/V0OPdSMsCt
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) September 13, 2018
And here’s exactly what people made of that, the only 25 responses you need right now.
1.
Friday – flew into London, checked into grimy east London hotel
Saturday – Went to Salisbury to look at famous 132m spire of famous beautiful cathedral
Sunday – Went BACK to Salisbury to look again at wonderful spire
Sunday evening – Immediately left for MoscowSounds legit
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) September 13, 2018
2.
Their alibi is the plot of In Bruges https://t.co/yMkdy42c4P
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) September 13, 2018
3.
Imagine their horror when these two cathedral lovers discovered a former Russian spy had been targeted for assassination on the same day as their cathedral-based visit! https://t.co/SXCCFHTu9D
— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) September 13, 2018
4.
‘We are innocent tourists. Our friends had been suggesting for some time that we visit the wonderful town of Salisbury” pic.twitter.com/t4583EJg7a
— Dan McKee (@danieljmckee) September 13, 2018
5.
Which of us hasn’t fancied a bargain break weekend in East London coupled with two day trips to see the famous spire and clock of Salisbury cathedral? https://t.co/sVC8BUwTAb
— Rory Cellan-Jones (@ruskin147) September 13, 2018
6.
Most popular destinations for Russian tourists:
1. Salisbury Cathedral
2. Paris maybe
3. London but via Salisbury Cathedral
4. Salisbury Cathedral— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) September 13, 2018
7.
I would totally travel across Europe for a weekend trip to visit an interesting cathedral with a friend. https://t.co/yC04ALcSqt
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) September 13, 2018
8.
‘We are innocent tourists. Our friends had been suggesting for some time that we visit the wonderful Cathedrals of Salisbury’ pic.twitter.com/rsD1mcZNZt
— John Rain (@MrKenShabby) September 13, 2018
9.
"In an interview on RT, Novichok nerve attack suspects say they were just tourists visiting Salisbury Cathedral" pic.twitter.com/IcU6akuYPH
— Richard Littler (@richard_littler) September 13, 2018
10.
To be fair everyone is always going on about Salisbury Cathedral’s 123 metre spire and how I must look at it. All over the world, when I say I am English, people’s first question is, “is it true that Salisbury Cathedral has a 123 metre spire?”
— Richard K Herring (@Herring1967) September 13, 2018
11.
Best episode of Would I Lie To You yet https://t.co/5aQYunYZ7C
— Matt Wells (@MatthewWells) September 13, 2018
12.
"We are not here to EXTERMINATE. We merely wish to visit the galactically renowned Salisbury Cathedral. pic.twitter.com/SiJ67HO0GI
— Sir Humphrey (@pinstripedline) September 13, 2018
13.
Look, who doesn't love a spire. https://t.co/F02FBPA8ub
— Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) September 13, 2018