'Sit back or step forward': Britain is at a profound moment, Defence Secretary says, in plan to tackle chemical warfare

Britain is at a profound moment in its history and cannot "sit back" and let events overtake it, the Defence Secretary will warn today as he unveils new measures to tackle chemical and biological warfare.

Gavin Williamson will use his first major speech to outline how Britain must modernise its defences to tackle growing threats as he warns the Salisbury spy poisoning should remove any doubt over the danger Russia poses to the UK.

Thousands of soldiers will be vaccinated against anthrax while a new chemical weapon defence centre will protect Britain from further attacks, Mr Williamson will announce.

His keynote speech comes after Theresa May yesterday kicked out 23 Russian diplomats in the biggest...