Life will never be the same, says poisoned police hero
THE police officer left fighting for his life after the Salisbury poison attack was discharged from hospital yesterday as his wife described his illness as the most traumatic event of their lives.
Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, 38, was one of the first on the scene and was exposed to the deadly nerve agent used to target former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
The officer, a father of two who spent more than a fortnight in hospital, said in a statement that ‘life will probably never be the same’ for him.
Yesterday a judge said doctors could take blood samples for testing from Mr Skripal, 66, and 33-year-old Yulia who remain sedated and critically ill in Salisbury District Hospital. But it emerged in the judge’s ruling that they may never recover.
In another development a second police officer is also said to be being treated for suspected poisoning after coming into contact with a contaminated object.
Det Sgt Bailey, who went to help Mr Skripal and his daughter after they were found collapsed on a bench in Salisbury on March 4, said he will take time to ‘re-group and recover’.
His wife Sarah, 37, paid tribute to her ‘hero’ husband, adding: ‘This has quite simply been the most traumatic event of our life and it feels like our world has been turned upside down in a really short space of time.
‘Nick doesn’t like the term hero but he’s always been a hero to me and our children.’
Det Sgt Bailey said he had been ‘overwhelmed by the surreal experience’ but had been moved by the support from the police and public, receiving as many as 300 messages a day.
In the statement read by Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Kier Pritchard, he added: ‘We are just taking each day as it comes at the moment.
‘I recognise that “normal” life for me will probably never be the same – and Sarah and I now need to focus on finding a new normal for us and for our children. People ask me how I am feeling – but there are really no words to explain how I feel right now. Surreal is the word that keeps cropping up – and it really has been completely surreal.’
Mr Pritchard paid tribute to the officer’s ‘strength and resilience’ and said the complex investigation into the attempted murders is likely to take many more months.
While it is hoped Det Sgt Bailey’s condition will continue to improve with treatment, the Salisbury hospital said Mr Skripal and Yulia remained in a critical but stable condition.
Mr Justice Williams gave doctors permission to take and test blood samples from the pair who are under heavy sedation and are unable to give their consent.
It was revealed that their mental capacity may be compromised to an unknown degree by the nerve agent.
The Court of Protection in London said it was not possible to say when or to what extent they may regain capacity.
The ruling said Mr Skripal is unable to communicate in any way while his daughter was said to be unable to communicate in any meaningful way.
Mr Justice Williams said doctors at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust could provide blood samples to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to help with the investigation.
The judgment confirmed the presence of the Novichok nerve agent in blood samples already analysed.
The second police officer being treated as an outpatient for suspected poisoning was part of the team investigating the poison attack. The uniformed PC is understood to have developed minor symptoms, including skin irritation, after coming into contact with an object that possibly had secondary contamination.
Theresa May has blamed Vladimir Putin for the attack and expelled 23 diplomats from the Russian embassy.
‘It has been surreal’