19 Jul 2018

Reports UK investigators know who poisoned Skripals

5:33 pm on 19 July 2018

British investigators say they believe they have identified the suspected perpetrators behind the Novichok attack on the Skripals in Salisbury, the Press Association reports.

Yulia and Sergei Skripal

Yulia and Sergei Skripal Photo: Facebook/ AFP

Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were struck down with the Novichok poison in March, but they have since recovered.

Quoting a source with knowledge of the investigation, the Press Association reports that investigators have identified those responsible through CCTV footage and have cross-checked it with records of people who entered the country around that time.

Officers think several Russians were involved in the attempted murder, the Press Association reports.

The Metropolitan Police, who are leading the investigation, have declined to comment.

The UK government has blamed Russia for the attack, with Prime Minister Theresa May describing the incident as "brazen" and "despicable".

But the Russian government denied any involvement and has accused the UK of inventing a "fake story".

And earlier this month, UK police recovered a small bottle containing the same nerve agent after a woman died and her partner became severely ill in Wiltshire - near Salisbury.

- Reuters