Life will never be the says poisoned cop as he
The father-of-two told how he feared his life will never be the same again but said he was “overwhelmed” at the “unbelievable” support he has received from the public.
He thanked the medical staff who battled to save him and helped him on the road to recovery.
The dedicated officer, who was commended in 2016 for bringing a serial rapist to justice, said he hoped to rebuild his life with the help of Sarah and his young children.
He said: “People ask me how I am feeling but there are really no words to explain how I feel right now.
“Surreal is the word that keeps cropping up – and it really has been completely surreal.
“I have spent all my time since the incident really focusing on trying to get better and trying not to think about anything else. But as I have begun to feel better, I have become aware of the widespread and enormous attention this whole incident has attracted. I find this really overwhelming. I am just a normal person with a normal life.
“As for what happens now, we are just taking each day as it comes.
“I recognise that ‘normal’ life for me will probably never be the same – and Sarah and I now need to focus on finding a new normal for us and for our children. What I need is
MAY GATHERS EU SUPPORT FOR FIGHTING PUTIN’S SPY NETWORK
THERESA May was last night gathering support for a new international push aimed at dismantling Vladimir Putin’s spy network across Europe.
The Prime Minister, who last week expelled 23 suspected Russian intelligence officers from Britain, used an EU Council meeting in Brussels to persuade other European leaders to take similar measures against Kremlin agents.
She also used a speech at the summit to warn that the nerve agent attack in Salisbury was “part of a pattern of Russian aggression time to re-group, recover and most importantly spend time with my loved ones.”
He added: “I want people to focus on the investigation, not the police officer who was unfortunate enough to be caught up in it. All I have done is represent every police officer who goes out there every day and puts their life at risk.”
He said he had been receiving up to 300 messages a day from members against Europe and its near neighbours”.
In a sign of gathering support for her approach, Lithuania yesterday signalled moves to follow her lead in kicking out suspected Russian spies. Other Baltic nations were expected to follow.
Diplomatic sources at the summit said the Prime Minister was pressing others to join the espionage crackdown.
A senior EU diplomat said: “Britain says there are these networks that organise such things like Salisbury, that these networks exist across our borders and that it would of the public. He went on: “I want to pay tribute and give my absolute and heartfelt thanks to the staff of Salisbury District Hospital.
“The care I have received from the medical staff has been simply outstanding. From the man that cleans the floor to the doctors giving the treatment, they have all been absolutely phenomenal.
“Thank you just doesn’t seem enough and just doesn’t convey the be good to go after them together. They have been approaching EU states on that bilaterally and today May will tell EU leaders more.”
A senior British Government source said: “We’re building a strong coalition of support and working together to send a strong message to Russia of our belief in, and defence of, the international rules-based system.”
Mrs May also met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. gratitude I feel for what they have done for me.”
Colonel Skripal, 66, and Yulia, 33, remain in a critical but stable condition after the assassination attempt.
Yesterday a court heard that the Russians’ mental capacity may be compromised to an unknown degree as a result of the attack.
A judge said it was not possible to say when or to what extent they may “regain capacity”. The revelation