Skripals to reveal key clues on poisoning after making rapid recovery

Father and daughter both now appear to be out of danger

The secrets of what lay behind the first nerve agent attack in Europe since the Second World War are likely to be revealed with Sergei and Yulia Skripal expected to speak to investigators in the coming days after making a remarkable recovery.

The former MI6 spy and his daughter may soon be in a position to reveal to investigators the chain and time of events leading up to her poisoning and that of her father in Salisbury a month ago – and who may have carried out it out.

Despite the head of Porton Down, the military research centre, saying there is no known antidote to the military grade novichok, which Theresa May’s government has said was used in the attempted murders, both now appear to be out of danger.

The timing of their interviews will be dependent on advice of the specialist medical staff treating them, but the police and security agencies are optimistic that the answers to what took place are likely to emerge soon.

Salisbury District Hospital, where the pair have been treated since being struck down last month, said Mr Skripal was “responding well to treatment, improving rapidly and no longer in a critical condition”.

Yulia Skripal, who had issued a public statement through the police saying she “woke up a week ago and am glad my strength is growing daily”, will be questioned before her father unless his condition improves dramatically.

Ms Skripal supposedly spoke on the telephone with her cousin Viktoria in Moscow who was due to visit her in hospital. During the call Yulia told Viktoria she may not be given a visa, and yesterday the UK authorities confirmed that the visa application has been refused.

This led to an immediate charge of further cover-up by Russian officials who have already accused the UK of carrying out the attack.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We have refused a visitor visa application from Viktoria Skripal on the grounds that her application did not comply with the immigration rules.”

Russian state television earlier this week broadcasted a telephone conversation between Viktoria and her cousin, where Yulia allegedly said “everything is fine” and her father was “sleeping”.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the improvement in the condition of Mr Skripal was “great news” and “testament to the quick work” of the emergency services.

Dr Christine Blanshard, medical director at Salisbury District Hospital, said speculation about when the two could be released from hospital was “just that – speculation”.

The Foreign Office said the pair were “likely to have ongoing medical needs”.

“We are very pleased that both Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia are improving,” a spokesman said. “This is a tribute to the hardworking and talented NHS staff in Salisbury who have provided outstanding care.

“Let us be clear, this was attempted murder using an illegal chemical weapon that we know Russia possesses.”

The Russian Embassy said it hoped the improvement in the Skripals’ health will “contribute to the investigation of the crime perpetrated against them”.

Dan Kaszeta, a security and chemical defence consultant, said nerve agents are quick acting if they are inhaled, which did not appear to be the case with the Skripals.

“We do not know the narrative of that afternoon in detail, for example Sergei – what did you touch and when did you touch it?”

Now that Ms Skripal in particular is known to be recovering and talking, her insight into what happened will be “extremely important”, Mr Kaszeta added.

The development came as Donald Trump heightened diplomatic tensions further by announcing sanctions against seven Russian oligarchs with ties to Vladimir Putin for “malign activity” around the world.

Meanwhile, Russia is demanding an explanation over the deaths of two guinea pigs and a cat that was found in a distressed state at Mr Skripal’s house.

The Russian Embassy said: “Regarding the dead guinea pigs and the malnourished cat, it is said unofficially that they were taken to the Porton Down facility and incinerated there.

“But it remains unclear if their remains were ever tested for toxic substances, which would constitute useful evidence, and if not why such a decision was made.

“Overall, it is difficult to avoid the impression that the animals have been disposed of as an inconvenient piece of evidence.”