Police officers fall ill after visiting home of British chemical weapon expert who appears on Russia Today

Dr Chris Busby previously claimed Britain may be behind Sailsbury poisoning

Retired research scientist Dr Chris Busby is often used as an “expert” by the Kremlin-backed RT channel - formerly Russia Today

(YouTube)

Police called to the home of a chemical weapons expert in Devon had to be treated after feeling unwell.

Retired research scientist Dr Chris Busby, 73, who claimed Britain may be behind the Salisbury poisoning and is a regular expert for Russian state-sponsored channel RT, was reportedly arrested under the explosives act.

Officers were called to Dr Busby’s home in Bideford, Devon, on Wednesday morning amid concerns for the welfare of a woman.

Some of the police officers reported feeling unwell while at the address, Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement.

The property — believed to contain a private laboratory — was evacuated and remained sealed off while bomb disposal experts carried out a search of the house.

Police officers were treated at the scene for various symptoms by a Hazardous Area Response Team and fire crews, but were not harmed and have since returned to duty.

In a statement, Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police were called at around 11.30am on Wednesday 12 September following concerns for the welfare of a woman in Bideford.

“Initial enquiries led officers to attend an address in Bridge Street, Bideford.

“Whilst at the address, some of our officers complained of feeling unwell and were immediately removed from the scene and a cordon put in place.

“The ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) attended and treated these officers, all of whom are unharmed and have since returned to duty.

“Following searches within the property, a number of items were found which require expert analysis from specialist officers and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

“Police have also been supported by fire and ambulance at the scene.

“The house has been evacuated and enquiries are ongoing at the property.

“Officers have sought specialist advice and it has not been deemed necessary to evacuate any other properties; there is not believed to be any wider public risk at this time.

“A 73-year-old local man has been detained under the explosives act and awaits questioning.”

Police have not confirmed if the man arrested was Dr Busby and have also not linked the search to the Salisbury Novichok poisoning.

Dr Busby is often used as an “expert” by the Kremlin-backed RT channel – formerly Russia Today.

He has also previously called the Salisbury attack a “false flag” operation carried out by the West to discredit Vladimir Putin.

SWNS