Poison spy’s daughter ‘on the mend’
THE daughter of the Russian double agent poisoned alongside her father in a nerve agent attack is “improving rapidly”, doctors announced last night.
Yulia Skripal, 33, is now stable in hospital after being exposed to the substance Novichok.
Her father Sergei, 66, remains in a critical but stable condition.
Ms Skripal may now be able to help detectives unlock the mysteries surrounding the March 4 attack.
She could potentially identify the assassin who is thought to have smeared her father’s front door with the deadly chemical.
Detectives now believe Mr Skripal and his daughter, who was visiting him from Russia, first came into contact with the deadly chemical at his home in Salisbury, Wilts.
Dr Christine Blanshard, medical director for Salisbury District Hospital, said: “I’m pleased to be able to report an improvement in the condition of Yulia Skripal.
“She has responded well to treatment but continues to receive expert clinical care 24 hours a day. I want to take this opportunity to once again thank the staff of Salisbury District Hospital for delivering such highquality care to these patients over the last few weeks.
“I am very proud both of our frontline staff and all those who support them.”
Meanwhile, police have placed cordons round a children’s play area at Montgomery Gardens near Mr Skripal’s home.
A spokesman said: “Officers will be searching it as a precautionary measure.”
Detailed forensics testing has revealed the highest concentration of Novichok was found on the front door of Mr Skripal’s home.
Aerial pictures yesterday revealed the door has been removed and police have covered the front garden with wooden panels.
The Metropolitan Police said traces of the nerve agent had been found at some of the other scenes detectives have been working at, but at lower concentrations.
Specialist teams will now focus their inquiries in and around the address and step back from other areas already investigated.
Britain has accused Russia of being behind the poisoning – allegations fiercely denied by Moscow.
In turn Russia has suggested that UK intelligence officers may have been involved in the poisoning.
The Kremlin’s allegation came as Moscow faces increasing global isolation, with at least 26 countries expelling a total of more than 130 suspected spies.
Around 250 counter-terrorism detectives continue to work around the clock on the investigation which is expected to continue for months.
Officers are examining more than 5,000 hours of CCTV footage and 1,350 exhibits that have been seized, while 500 witnesses have been identified.