Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
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HUNDREDS of people were urged to wash their clothes last night as it emerged Sergei Skripal may have been poisoned at home and spread the nerve agent during his day out.
Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer at Public Health England, said up to 500 locals could have visited the same sites as the ex-russian spy last Sunday.
Staff at The Mill pub and Zizzi restaurant in Salisbury, Wilts, have even been told to burn their clothes and discard all work-related items after traces of the nerve agent were discovered.
A Zizzi worker said they were “horrified” at being told they could be at risk and should see a doctor, adding: “We haven’t felt ill but it is worrying, people were understandably upset.”
It is believed full decontamination of the premises could take weeks.
Skripal, 66, and daughter Yulia, 33, are in a critical condition in hospital after being found unconscious on a bench. Det Sgt Nick Bailey, 38, one of the first on the scene, is in a serious condition.
The Prime Minister will chair a National Security Committee meeting this morning to discuss the attack.
Issuing her “precautionary advice”, Dame Sally, 68, said: “We have learnt there has been some trace contamination at Zizzi restaurant and The Mill.
“I am confident this has not harmed the health of anyone. However, some people are concerned that prolonged, long-term exposure to these substances may, over weeks, and particularly months, give rise to health problems.
“I am therefore advising that people who were in Zizzi or The Mill should clean the clothes they wore and the possessions they handled while there.”
They are advised to wipe items such as mobiles, purses and wallets with baby wipes, and to hand-wash jewellery.
The advice came as sources said it is now believed Skripal and Yulia were poisoned at home and could have spread the toxin when they went out.
Traces were found on and around their table at Zizzi, which was removed and destroyed along with other items. It is unclear where the traces were found in The Mill but investigators were scouring the kitchen area yesterday.
One pub worker said: “Skripal and Yulia came in and ordered white wine but didn’t stay for long. I don’t even think they drank their drinks before quickly leaving. The man seemed quite agitated when they left.”
As sections of the cathedral city remain cordoned off, frustrated residents questioned why it took so long for the latest warning to be issued. Maureen Jones, 73, said: “I can’t understand why