Toxic ‘hotspots’ could still be in Skripal city

TOXIC levels of the nerve agent used to poison former spy Sergei Skripal may still be present at ‘hotspots’ in Salisbury, Government scientists warn.

Amounts of Novichok that could be toxic to individuals probably exist in specific locations but are likely to be in areas already closed to the public.

Sites in the Wiltshire city remain cordoned off almost seven weeks after Mr Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were found collapsed on a bench.

Ian Boyd, chief scientific adviser at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), told concerned residents at a meeting that it was an assumption that ‘toxic’ levels were present at ‘very, very specific locations’ and some of those hotspots have still to be found.

The agent can only be removed by intense cleaning with caustic chemicals and work to decontaminate nine locations across Salisbury is under way.

The multi-million-pound clean-up operation involving 200 military personnel could last until Christmas.

Defra emphasised that Salisbury was safe and there was no need for people to take extra precautions.