Salisbury nerve agent attack: Theresa May prepares 'full spectrum' response to Russian spy poisoning as injury toll rises

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Theresa May is lining up a “full spectrum” response to the nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal as police confirmed the injury toll had climbed to 21.

The Prime Minister told cabinet ministers to prepare options for a powerful response across military, diplomatic and economic fronts following the suspected assassination attempt in Salisbury.

It comes detectives continued to probe whether Mr Skripal, who was struck down by a toxic substance along with his daughter Yulia on Sunday, was singled out for a hit sponsored by Vladimir Putin.

The UK must “overhaul” its position on the potential Russia threat and fully realise the Kremlin’s attempts to debilitate the west, one senior minister told the Sun.

The minister added: “Putin doesn’t dare attack the US, so he goes for us instead because of all the government’s current troubles. It is crucial we are seen to stand up to that”.

If Russia is found to be behind the poisoning the UK government response would involve the immediate expulsion of senior Russian diplomats and boosting Britain's military deployments in Eastern Europe, according to reports.

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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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.

They were critically injured after coming in to contact with the substance, along with first responder Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who is in a stable condition, authorities confirmed.

Investigators next to a police tent outside the Mill pub at the Maltings in Salisbury
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Wiltshire Police temporary Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said the officer was in a "serious, but stable, condition" and had since regained consciousness.

As uncertainty lingered over their fate, police said a total of 21 people had been seen for medical treatment in the aftermath of the incident.

The figure includes members of the public and emergency staff, some of whom have had blood tests as well as receiving support and advice.

DS Bailey, meanwhile, was praised as "well liked, well loved, a massively dedicated officer" as he continued to recover from the attack.

He joined the force in 2002 and was commended in 2016 his work on a rape investigation.

Mrs May echoed the sentiment, saying the events served as a "stark reminder" of the dangers faced by emergency staff.

Mr Pritchard said in a statement: "I have visited Nick in hospital this afternoon and I can confirm that he is conscious, talking and engaging with people.

Investigators wearing protective clothing continue to probe the nerve agent attack
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"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."

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.

Yulia: The 33-year-old is in critical condition after the suspected assassination attempt
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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.

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