Russian lived in fear

Former KGB agent thought his life ‘would end badly’ in UK

A RELATIVE of an ex-KGB agent “poisoned” in the popular UK tourist city of Salisbury has told how he knew he would “not be left alone” and that his life in Britain “would end badly”.

Sergei Skripal is fighting for his life alongside daughter Yulia after a suspected assassination attempt in the Wiltshire city.

A relative told BBC Russia: “From the first day he knew it would end badly, and that he would not be left alone.”

Mr Skripal, 66, and Yulia, 33, were found slumped on a bench on Sunday.

CCTV has emerged believed to show double agent Mr Skripal and Yulia behind Zizzi restaurant at 3.47pm local time.

Less than 15 minutes later they were found on the bench in a “catatonic state”.

The pair were rushed to hospital where they remain in a critical condition after being exposed to an unidentified substance. Two police officers were also taken to A&E suffering itchy eyes, wheezing and rashes. One has since been discharged.

A major incident was declared as at least 12 others suffered symptoms including vomiting.

Anti-terror cops are investigating the incident and carrying out tests to find out if a crime has been committed.

The UK government pledged a “robust” response if suspicions of Russian state involvement were proven.

Recent reports said Mr Skripal was fearing for his life after his wife died in a car crash soon after arriving in the UK while his son was also killed in a road accident in Russia.

Investigators were yesterday scrambling to identify the chemical used in the attack which has sparked fears of a Kremlin-backed hit on Mr Skripal.

According to Fox News, experts believe the poisoning shows signs of being a Kremlin assassination attempt. Several former Russian spies, along with other Vladimir Putin critics such as journalists, anticorruption experts and politicians, have died in mysterious circumstances since Mr Putin was elected in 1999.

But the Kremlin has denied accusations that it was involved and has lashed out at Britain for “demonising” Russia, reports The Sun.

A spokesman for the Russian embassy told Russian news agency TASS that the case was turning into an “antiRussia crusade”.