Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
Use of British chemicals in Syria poison gas 'likely'

BRITISH chemicals and equipment are likely to have been used to make poison gas by the Syrian government, the Foreign Secretary admitted yesterday.

William Hague said records showed a number of companies exported legal substances to Syria between 1983 and 1986 that can be used in the production of chemical weapons.

In 2003 legal ventilation fans were shipped to the regime, which the government also believes were used.

“We judge it likely that these chemical exports by UK companies were subsequently used by Syria in their programmes to produce nerve agents, including sarin,” Mr Hague told MPs in a written statement.

“The review of our records also confirmed an export of ventilation fans by a UK company to Syria in 2003. Syria appears to have diverted these fans for use in a chemical weapons facility.”

A report by the UN last year found that chemical weapons had been used in the Syrian civil war and against civilians. Both sides have blamed the other for their use.

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament general secretary Kate Hudson said: “It is atrocious that in 2003 the UK was still selling electrical components to Syria which could be used in its chemical weapons programme.

“That the UK supplied Syria with key ingredients for chemical weapons during the 1980s should come as no surprise.”

Stop the War vice-chairman Chris Nineham lamented that the revelations were true to British form.

He said: “The fact that Britain helped arm the Syrian regime which it has now turned against is not a historical oddity.”

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Britain / 23 July 2014
23 July 2014
Colombian national Isabella Acevedo asks to be treated with same leniency as Harper following reshuffle promotion as Disabled People's Minister
Britain / 23 July 2014
23 July 2014
Watchdog investigation closes down 13 unsafe building sites, hands 85 enforcement notices and warns 201 others
Britain / 11 July 2014
11 July 2014
Britain / 6 July 2014
6 July 2014
Similar stories
A Leeds United fan in the stands celebrates promotion to the Premier League following the Sky Bet Championship match at Elland Road, Leeds, April 28, 2025
Sport / 7 May 2025
7 May 2025
Green Impact ridden by Shane Foley on their way to winning the Frank Conroy Irish EBF Maiden at Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin, July 25, 2024
Horse racing / 2 May 2025
2 May 2025

Including races at Newmarket and Thirsk

Sport / 2 May 2025
2 May 2025
Ronnie O'Sullivan in action during his match against Ali Carter, on day five of the Halo World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, April 23, 2025
Sport / 24 April 2025
24 April 2025