Nerve agent used on Russian double agent ‘delivered in liquid form’

THE NERVE agent used to attack former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter was delivered in a “liquid form”, the Government has said.

Only a “very small amount” of the deadly novichok substance was used against Mr Skripal, 66, and 33-year-old Yulia, it is understood. The highest concentration was found at Mr Skripal’s home on the outskirts of Salisbury, with eight other areas across the city potentially contaminated.

Further details about the substance emerged at a press briefing. A spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs said: “In this instance, direct contact is required for a person to be poisoned. Only a small proportion of the material is transferred in each contact and the substance is diluted in each secondary or tertiary contact.

“The class of nerve agent does not produce significant vapour or gas and can only be moved between sites by direct transfer from a contaminated person or by moving a contaminated item.”

Asked what form the nerve agent was in, the Defra spokesman said: “It’s in a liquid form.”

It comes as the first of 10 sites cordoned off across the city was reopened to the public yesterday. Tests confirmed the area of London Road cemetery, which contains the remains of Mr Skripal’s dead wife and son, was not contaminated.

Meanwhile, work is set to begin to decontaminate the nine other locations experts either know or believe are contaminated.

A multi-million-pound operation, involving about 190 specialist military personnel, is expected to start in the coming days. Residents have been warned to expect to see more activity in the city