Police officer in hospital after Russian spy poison plot is named

Police officer in hospital after Russian spy poison plot is named

The house of poisoned Russian spy Sergei Skripal is tonight at the centre of the police investigation into his attempted murder, as officers probe whether he and his daughter were exposed to a deadly nerve agent before they left home on Sunday. 

Today police extended the cordon around the 66-year-old double agent's house to 150 yards, sealed off his wife and son's graves nearby and returned to the scene where and he and daughter Yulia, 33, were found slumped unconscious on a bench in Salisbury city centre. 

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey was also revealed as the hero police officer rushed to hospital in wake of the attack, as police investigate whether he was poisoned re-tracing the father and daughter's steps.  

Officers have now confirmed 21 people, including Mr Skripal, his daughter, and Sgt Bailey, were treated in hospital in relation to the attack, after previously claiming the number was 'fewer than 10'.  

It was initially reported Sgt Bailey was one of the first on the scene and could have come into contact with the nerve agent after giving the pair first aid following the suspected assassination attempt. 

But with officers sealing off various locations around the city, it is unclear where the detective sergeant, the Skripals and other victims were poisoned, with the main focus remaining on his home. 

Well-respected Wiltshire Police officer Sgt Bailey, who is said to be talking to family from his hospital bed, was visited by the force's temporary Chief Constable Kier Pritchard this afternoon. 

Speaking tonight, Mr Pritchard also said of the wider investigation: 'Multiple people have been treated, around 21 people, including the man and the woman found on the bench.

'A number of those have been through the hospital treatment process, they are having blood-tests, support and advice.'

The only people still in hospital are Sergei and Yulia Skripal and Sgt Nick Bailey. 

Sources today told MailOnline there were three other officers taken for treatment, who are believed to have given the Skripals first aid.

Now the line of inquiry appears to be that Sgt Bailey was not a first responder and was instead part of the wider investigation, possibly becoming contaminated re-tracing the Skripals steps.

The source told MailOnline: 'There were four officers taken to hospital following Sunday's incident, one of which was Nick Bailey.

'The three others, who were quickly discharged, are believed to have given Mr Skripal and his daughter first aid.

'Nick Bailey was originally thought to have been part of this team however as a detective sergeant, he would not have automatically attended the scene.

'It's possible he could have become ill after visiting another one of the sites of interest, which includes the restaurant, his home and the graveyard where his loved ones are buried.'  

Police in Hazmat suits have descended on various locations in Salisbury since the incident on Sunday as they attempt to work out who poisoned the former double agent and when exactly they were poisoned.

They are currently scouring Mr Skripal's home and today decided to extend the cordon around his Salisbury cul-de-sac from 50 to 150 yards.

A tent has been erected in his back garden while forensic officers investigate. Neighbouring residents are still allowed to access their homes.   

Today, the graves of Mr Skripal's son Alexander and his wife Liudmila were also taped off.  

Mr Skripal's 43-year-old son Alexander is reported to have died last year while on holiday in St Petersburg after being rushed to hospital with 'liver failure' - but Russian news agency in the city said it had not been able to find any record of his death.

Mr Skripal's wife Liudmila died in October 2012 at the age of 59. Her death certificate said she died from disseminated endometrial carcinoma - womb cancer - which she was diagnosed with in Russia.  

When Wiltshire Police's Chief Constable Kier Pritchard emerged from Salisbury District Hospital today, he said: 'I have just left the bedside of our officer and family in hospital.'

He described him as an 'amazingly courageous officer', while a source told MailOnline: 'Sgt Bailey is an experienced officer with years of serv

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