EU boss Jean-Claude Juncker criticised for congratulatory letter to Vladimir Putin

European Union boss Jean-Claude Juncker has been criticised after his "nauseating" letter of congratulations to Russia's Vladimir Putin failed to mention the Salisbury nerve agent attack.

The European Commission President wrote to Mr Putin on Tuesday to congratulate the Russian leader on his recent re-election.

However, the top Brussels official immediately was attacked for neglecting to include a reference to the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia using the chemical weapon novichok.

Mr Juncker was also criticised for ignoring accusations of ballot box rigging over Mr Putin's victory in Russia's presidential election.

In his letter, Mr Juncker sent Mr Putin his "congratulations on your re-election as President of the Russian Federation".

"I have always argued that positive relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation are crucial to the security of our continent," he wrote.

"Our common objective should be to re-establish a cooperative pan-European security order.

"I hope that you will use your fourth term in office to pursue this goal. I will always be a partner in this endeavour.

"I wish you every success in carrying out your high responsibilities."

Asked if the Prime Minister was disappointed Mr Juncker had not referred to the Salisbury attack in his letter to Mr Putin, Theresa May's official spokesman said: "What I would point to is the strong response which you have seen from across the EU, from leaders in condemning what happened in Salisbury and standing with the UK."

However, the leader of Conservative MEPs in the European Parliament, Ashley Fox, branded the letter "disgraceful" as he accused Mr Juncker of "appeasing" the Russian President.

"To congratulate Vladimir Putin on his election victory without referring to the clear ballot rigging that took place is bad enough," he said.

"But his failure to mention Russia's responsibility for a military nerve agent attack on innocent people in my constituency is nauseating.

"The European Commission President is appeasing a man who poses a clear threat to Western security."

Prominent Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, who campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU, also called Mr Juncker's letter "shameful".

Guy Verhofstdat, a leader of one of the European Parliament's largest groupings of MEPs, told Mr Juncker "this is no time for congratulations".

"We will always need dialogue with Russia, but closer ties must be conditional on respect for the rules based international order & fundamental values," he wrote on Twitter.

On Monday, EU foreign ministers condemned the attack on the Skripals in Salisbury as a "reckless and illegal act" and expressed "unqualified solidarity" with the UK.

However, despite calling on Russia to "urgently" answer questions over the attack, they stopped short of fully backing the UK Government's assessment the Russian state was responsible.

Mr Putin's decisive victory in Russia's presidential election attracted allegations of vote rigging by opponents.

Earlier this month, the European Parliament announced it would not be observing the election as MEPs declared an offer by Russian officials to cover the travel expenses of international observers "goes against the fundamental ethics of election observation".

US President Donald Trump also congratulated Mr Putin on his victory in a telephone call, with the White House confirming the Salisbury attack was not mentioned between the two leaders .