Huge mission to wipe all traces of deadly nerve agent from city
SCIENTISTS have unveiled a multi-million pound plan to clear Salisbury of the deadly nerve agent that poisoned Sergei and Yulia Skripal.
They announced yesterday that the former Russian agent and his daughter were attacked with a “very small amount” of a highly toxic liquid strain of Novichok.
Nine sites in the Wiltshire city will remain closed for several months while more than 200 defence personnel work to remove all traces of the chemical.
The development ruled out earlier theories that the Skripals were poisoned by gas delivered through a car’s air vents.
Details released by a panel of Government experts also made it clear that the toxic liquid had been spread across the city “like ink on someone’s fingers”.
The oily substance will not evaporate and can only be removed using high-grade caustic chemicals.
Sites under investigation include Mr Skripal’s home, where traces of the chemical were strongest.
Safety teams are also working at The Maltings shopping centre, where the pair collapsed, Italian restaurant Zizzi, and the home of poisoned policeman Nick Bailey. All sites will be protected by solid wooden screens and items removed will be destroyed.
Panel chair Ian Boyd, Defra’s chief scientific advisor, said: “Our approach is based on the best scientific evidence and advice to ensure decontamination is carried out in a thorough and careful way. We have been able to categorise the likely level of contamination at each site and are drawing up tailored plans.
“Meticulous work is required and we expect it will be a number of months before all sites are fully reopened.”
Mr Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter fell ill more than six weeks ago as they enjoyed a day out. The attack sparked a bitter war of words between London and Moscow and tit-for-tat expulsions of Russian and British diplomats.
Mr Skripal – a former Russian intelligence chief who spied for the West – is still recovering in hospital but Ms Skripal was released last week.
Gary Stephens, professor of pharmacology at the University of Reading, told how the liquid toxin would be more deadly over a longer period than gas.
“Its effects persist longer,” he said. “If you release something like sarin gas, it will kill people quickly but then its effects dissipate.
“This oily liquid will hang around longer. It is more toxic. This is why they are taking a cautious approach in cleaning it up.
“You have to use highgrade caustic chemicals to make the area safe.”