Yulia Skripal discharged, father Sergei to follow soon

Yulia Skripal has been discharged from Salisbury District Hospital, more than a month after she was admitted having been exposed to a nerve agent.

Her father Sergei, who suffered more serious symptoms, is no longer in critical condition, medical director Christine Blanshard said this morning.

"Although he is recovering more slowly than Yulia, we hope that he too will be able to leave hospital in due course," she added.

"Both patients have responded exceptionally well to the treatment weve been providing. But equally, both patients are at different stages in their recovery," Blanshard said. "I also want to take this opportunity to wish Yulia well. This is not the end of her treatment, but marks a significant milestone."

The doctor reiterated that the pair and the police officer who was also hospitalised for many days had been exposed to a "highly toxic chemical which aims to prevent the nervous system from functioning".

Yesterday Prime Minister Theresa May used a press conference in Copenhagen to repeat the government's position that Russia was behind the attack, drawing parallels between that and the weekend's chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma.

Russia has insisted it had nothing to do with it.

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CityAM

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