Daily Record

Novichok assassins say they travelled from Russia ‘to see Salisbury’s cathedral clock’

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had possessed the Nina Ricci perfume bottle that contained the novichok, Boshirov replied: “The customs are checking everything.

“They would have questions as to why men have women’s perfume in their luggage. We didn’t have it.”

Salisbury MP John Glen quickly INTERVIEW Boshirov, left, and Petrov responded by saying their statements were “not credible”.

And Tom Tugendhat MP, head of the Foreign Affairs committee, added: “The idea that Russians were turned away by snow is laughable.

“This is the most pathetic story and is simply an insult following the thorough dossier presented by the Prime Minister on these two GRU officers.”

A spokesman for Theresa May added: “The lies and blatant fabricatio­ns in this interview are an insult to the public’s intelligen­ce.

“More importantl­y, they are deeply offensive to the victims and loved ones of this horrific attack.”

He added: “We have taken all steps to ensure they are apprehende­d and brought to justice if they ever set foot outside of Russia.”

UK authoritie­s believe Petrov and Boshirov smeared the chemical novichok on a door handle at the home of former GRU officer Skripal, 67, and daughter Yulia, 34, leaving both critically ill.

It was linked to events at nearby Amesbury on June 30 when Dawn Sturgess, 44, and partner Charlie Rowley, 45, fell ill after being exposed to the same poison. Dawn later died in hospital. Police officer Nick Bailey, who visited the Skripals’ home after they fell ill, was also left fighting for his life.

Tests on the east London hotel room where the suspects stayed showed novichok contaminat­ion.

British police believe the names used by the men are aliases and claim there is evidence they are Russian military intelligen­ce agents.

Both suspects, who insist they are sports nutritioni­sts, strongly denied the accusation but failed to offer any proof of their identities. Boshirov said his life had been turned “upside down, adding: “We’re afraid of going out, we fear for ourselves, our lives and lives of our loved ones.”

Petrov added: “You can’t imagine what it’s like.

“We’d like if one day the real perpetrato­rs are found and we’re given an apology.”

COVER STORY

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 ??  ?? They ‘wanted to see city cathedral’
They ‘wanted to see city cathedral’

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