Blood samples to be taken from Skripals

BLOOD samples should be taken from Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia urgently while they are still alive, a judge has ruled.

The former Russian spy and his daughter may have suffered permanent brain damage and their condition could “rapidly deteriorate”.

Mr Justice Williams heard details about the case at a private Court of Protection hearing in London, and gave permission for samples to be taken from the pair to enable Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons inspectors to carry out tests. He said the Skripals lacked the mental capacity to give permission, and may never recover from the Salisbury attack. Mr Skripal, 66, could not communicate at all, while his daughter, 33, was unable to communicate “in any meaningful way”.

Not a single relative had sought information from the hospital since they were admitted almost three weeks ago, meaning the judge was unable to consult them.