Police able to question nerve agent victim

POLICE yesterday spoke to Novichok victim Charlie Rowley after he regained consciousness more than a week after being poisoned in Salisbury.

The 45-year-old remains in a critical condition in hospital but was interviewed by detectives trying to find the source of the deadly nerve agent that contaminated him and his girlfriend, Dawn Sturgess.

Ms Sturgess died on Sunday, but Mr Rowley’s condition has improved, allowing counter-terrorism detectives to ask him briefly about his movements in the hours before they fell ill. It is hoped Mr Rowley may be able to point police to the source of the contamination, thought to be a discarded container or vial used by would-be assassins for the original poisoning of Sergei Skripal, the former Russian double agent, and his daughter, Yulia, in March.

It is understood Mr Rowley has been informed of the death of Ms Sturgess.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Officers have spoken briefly to Charlie and will be looking to further speak with him as they try to establish how he and Dawn came to be contaminated.” Wearing a protective suit, Mr Rowley’s brother Matthew has also seen him.

Mr Rowley fell ill several hours after Ms Sturgess, suggesting he may have received a lesser dose. Lorna Wilkinson, the director of nursing at the hospital, said: “We have seen a small but significant improvement in the condition of Charlie Rowley.

“He is in a critical but stable condition, and is now conscious. While this is welcome news, clearly we are not out of the woods yet.”

Police are still searching three locations in Salisbury and Amesbury, including the homes of Mr Rowley and Ms Sturgess and a city centre park.

Neil Basu, head of UK Counter Terrorism policing, warned the nerve agent could remain potent for 50 years.