Was critically ill former agent still working for MI6?
COUNTER-terrorism officers investigating the attempted murder of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal are looking at lectures he gave to British security services as a possible motive amid claims he had not retired.
Mr Skripal, 66, was a highvalue MI6 agent while working for Russian military intelligence in the 1990s. After he was given refuge in the UK in 2010 as part of a spy swap, he continued to work for British agencies, sharing his valuable experience in briefing for the military and spies.
It was assumed he had been seeing out his days in retirement in Salisbury, where friends said he indulged a scratchcard gambling habit and enjoyed drinks at his local social club.
But last night it was claimed that Mr Skripal had not retired and was also still in regular contact with military intelligence officers at the Russian embassy in London.
Fellow Russian exile Valery Morozov said he felt the company Mr Skripal was keeping was ‘dangerous’ for any Russian exile, and therefore decided to keep clear of him.
Meanwhile, a taxi driver in Salisbury said he regularly collected Mr Skripal from the train station on his return from London.
The driver added that he had done so between 30 and 40 times over the past two years.
It raises the prospect that Mr Skripal was targeted this week because of continued involvement with the intelli- gence services on both sides.
The cab driver, who did not want to be named, said the former spy told him he ‘worked for the government’.
Police are trying to put together a full picture of Mr Skripal’s habits before he was attacked.
It is understood one motive not yet ruled out is that he still remained in contact with MI6.
Whitehall sources stressed that he was not an active agent or source of intelligence.
Mr Skripal was not ‘reactivated’ as a frontline intelligence operative, but he was considered to be knowledgeable on the Russian system and a useful expert.
Even ‘deactivated’ agents remain in contact with the service until the end of their life.
A counter-terrorism source said: ‘He was a man with a certain trade craft. He has historical experience and he is knowledgeable. There are a lot of people interested in the themes he was an expert in.’
It came as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned yesterday that his country’s enemies would be ‘served with poison’.
He said Western sanctions for Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and the insurgency in eastern Ukraine were part of ‘illegitimate and unfair’ efforts to contain Russia, but added: ‘We will win in the long run.’
Although not directly addressing the attempted murder of Mr Skripal, he said: ‘Those who serve us with poison will eventually swallow it and poison themselves.’
CCTV footage emerged yesterday showing Mr Skripal buying milk and groceries from his local shop days before he was found collapsed.
‘Kept dangerous company’