Poison spy’s girl is moved to safe house
Russia warns against pair’s ‘abduction’
We need proof what is being done is on her free will
RUSSIAN EMBASSY ON RESETTLING OF YULIA
YULIA Skripal is living in an MI5 safe house after leaving hospital in secret following her poisoning ordeal.
The 33-year-old, hit with nerve agent Novichok along with ex-spy dad Sergei, was moved on Monday.
Her handlers will now be quizzing her for clues on last month’s suspected Kremlin assassination bid in Salisbury.
Yulia is expected to claim asylum here and get a new identity. Sergei is also due to be discharged within weeks.
Russia has denied being responsible for the nerve agent attack and its London embassy welcomed the news of Yulia’s discharge. But it said resettling the Skripals would be seen as an “abduction or forced isolation”, adding: “We need urgent proof what is being done to her is done on her own free will.”
The pair had not been expected to live but Salisbury District Hospital’s Dr Christine Blanshard said they had both “responded exceptionally well” to treatment.
She confirmed Yulia had left but will need further follow-up care. Sergei, 66, is recovering “more slowly” but still “making good progress”.
PM Theresa May said she wished Yulia “the best for her continuing recovery”.