A Russian expert says Britain is taking the wrong approach to the poisoning of a former Russian spy.

It's given Russia until 1pm New Zealand time to show it wasn't behind the nerve agent attack.

Russia is rejecting the ultimatum over the UK's refusal to provide a sample of the nerve agent that was used.

EU-Asia Centre director Fraser Cameron told Kate Hawkesby the UK is wrong to refuse.

"The Russians do have a case where British government are probably right to say this is a nerve agent coming from Russian stock, but if they were so sure, why not just show it to the Russians."

The UK's position could also be undermined further due to the sacking of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The EU says its willing to support whatever measures the UK decides to take, but Cameron says Tillerson's departure could leave May without crucial US support.

"The strongest backing she got was from Tillerson. She is going to talk with Trump later on today and we'll see what he decides to do."

 

LISTEN TO FRASER CAMERON TALK WITH KATE HAWKESBY ABOVE