Army sends 180 troops to reinforce Russian spy probe as police increase section cordoned off around Sergei Skripal’s home
THE army has sent 180 soldiers to bolster an investigation into an attempt on the life of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal, while the cordon around his home was doubled.
It is now feared that Mr Skripal - who was convicted in his home country for selling secrets to MI6 - was singled out for a state-sponsored nerve agent assassination plot at home.
Skripal's daughter Yulia and 21 others including a hero police officer being treated.
Counter-terror police are trying to pin down the source of the chemical weapon used against the 66-year-old ex-spy and his daughter, 33.
Both remain seriously ill in hospital following the murder bid on Sunday.
Today, 180 troops from the Royal Air Force regiment and the Royal Marines have arrived in the area to assist cops with their investigation.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "The Counter Terrorism Policing Network has requested assistance from the military to remove a number of vehicles and objects from the scene in Salisbury town centre as they have the necessary capability and expertise.
"The public should not be alarmed and the public health advice remains the same.
"The military has the expertise and capability to respond to a range of contingencies. The Ministry of Defence regularly assists the emergency services and local authorities in the UK. Military assistance will continue as necessary during this investigation."
The Ministry of Defence added that it was working with "world-renowned scientists" on the case and added: "We have the right people with the right skills to assist with this crucial inquiry."
What we know so far:
- Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury on Sunday
- Police say they were deliberately targeted with a rare nerve agent and 180 military officers have been called in to assist
- Cops cordoned off his house and the grave of his wife and son fearing others could be exposed to the poison
- Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey may have been contaminated at Mr Skripal's home after attending the property following the incident
- The first Wiltshire cop on the scene is also ill in hospital - but hopes were raised for his recovery now he is awake and talking
- A blonde woman with a red handbag is being hunted after being caught on CCTV minutes before the hit
- Cops say the poison may have been slipped into a gift Yulia brought from Moscow
- Spooks also believe the Russians may have had their drinks spiked in a pub or a Zizzi's restaurant
- Theresa May has vowed revenge on Putin over the 'hit'
- Russian state TV warned 'traitor' double-agents they are not safe in the UK
- It was claimed Yulia Skripal may have been poisoned after calling for Putin to be jailed on Facebook as doctors reveal her fight for life
- It was revealed Sergei's MI6 contact had links to poisoned ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko
There is a massive emergency services presence this morning around his home
It comes amid a flurry of activity in Salisbury, where police sealed off the gravestone of Mr Skripal's wife Liudmila, who was buried in 2012, and the memorial stone of his son, Alexander, who was cremated last year.
They are located at separate sites in the London Road Cemetery, with each guarded by a police officer.
Hundreds of investigators, led by counter-terror police, are working to find out who is responsible for what is feared to be a sophisticated plot amid heightened tensions between Britain and Russia.
On Thursday night, an eyewitness said police had been searching a car at a vehicle recovery centre close to the Russian victim's home earlier that day.
He described seeing around 10 people in hazmat suits looking at the vehicle, which was said to be a Mercedes people-carrier.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the use of a chemical weapon on UK soil was a "brazen and reckless act", and the Government stood ready to act as a clearer picture emerged.
Russia has denied responsibility for the attack, which comes seven years after Mr Skripal was released from the country as part of a spy swap with the US.
He had been convicted in his home country in 2006 for passing state secrets to MI6.
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Meanwhile it has emerged that Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey may have been contaminated at Mr Skripal's home after attending the property following the incident.
He is now in a "serious, but stable, condition" and has since regained consciousness after falling ill.
Wiltshire Police temporary Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: "I have visited Nick in hospital this afternoon and I can confirm that he is conscious, talking and engaging with people.
"He still remains in a serious, but stable, condition, but I am deeply relieved to have visited him and spoken with him in person."
He added in an interview with Sky News: "Of course he's very anxious, he's very concerned. He did his very best on that night."
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