Skripal ‘won’t speak to Russians’

Yulia Skripal has told British authorities she does not wish to speak to Russian officials as she continues to recover from a nerve agent attack.

A diplomatic battle has been raging between the two nations over whether the Russian embassy should be allowed access to the 33-year-old daughter of ex-spy Sergei Skripal.

Ms Skripal, found critically ill alongside her 66-year-old father on a bench last month, was discharged from a hospital in Salisbury, Wiltshire, this week.

It is believed that British authorities immediately spirited her away to a secure location.

The embassy reacted angrily to the news, suggesting in a series of tweets that the Russian national had been taken against her will.

However, it is understood that the offer of consular support from Russia was presented to Ms Skripal and rejected.

She is believed to have expressed no interest in talking to consular officials.

Russiaremainstheprime suspect for carrying out the attack on Mr Skripal and his daughter.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We have previously passed on the Russianembassy’sofferofconsular support to Yulia.”