This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43315636

The article has changed 45 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Russian spy: What we know so far Russian spy: What we know so far
(about 2 hours later)
Russia is highly likely to be behind the attempted murder of a former spy and his daughter with a nerve agent, the prime minister has said.Russia is highly likely to be behind the attempted murder of a former spy and his daughter with a nerve agent, the prime minister has said.
Sergei Skripal, 66, and Yulia Skripal, 33, remain in a critical but stable condition after being found slumped on a bench near the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on Sunday 4 March.Sergei Skripal, 66, and Yulia Skripal, 33, remain in a critical but stable condition after being found slumped on a bench near the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on Sunday 4 March.
A police officer who fell ill tending to the pair remains seriously ill in hospital, while another person is being treated as an outpatient.A police officer who fell ill tending to the pair remains seriously ill in hospital, while another person is being treated as an outpatient.
Theresa May said the chemical used in the attack has been identified as being part of a group of nerve agents developed by Russia known as Novichok. Theresa May said the chemical used in the attack had been identified as being part of a group of nerve agents developed by Russia known as Novichok.
Russia has been told to provide "full and complete disclosure" of the Novichok programme to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons by the end of Tuesday.Russia has been told to provide "full and complete disclosure" of the Novichok programme to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons by the end of Tuesday.
Timeline of eventsTimeline of events
The investigation so farThe investigation so far
Police have been treating the case as attempted murder.Police have been treating the case as attempted murder.
Traces of the nerve agent were found at the Mill pub and Zizzi restaurant, where the Skripals spent the afternoon.Traces of the nerve agent were found at the Mill pub and Zizzi restaurant, where the Skripals spent the afternoon.
Eyewitness Jamie Paine said he saw a woman on a bench frothing at the mouth and her eyes "were wide open but completely white".Eyewitness Jamie Paine said he saw a woman on a bench frothing at the mouth and her eyes "were wide open but completely white".
A doctor, who was shopping with her husband in the city centre on Sunday, said Ms Skripal was "slumped in her seat, completely unconscious" and had lost control of her bodily functions.A doctor, who was shopping with her husband in the city centre on Sunday, said Ms Skripal was "slumped in her seat, completely unconscious" and had lost control of her bodily functions.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, head of counter-terrorism operations, said the Skripals had been "targeted specifically".Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, head of counter-terrorism operations, said the Skripals had been "targeted specifically".
Up to 500 people who visited the pub or the restaurant on Sunday or Monday were told to wash their clothes and possessions to avoid any contamination.Up to 500 people who visited the pub or the restaurant on Sunday or Monday were told to wash their clothes and possessions to avoid any contamination.
Prof Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer for England, stressed the risk of harm was "low" but there was some concern that prolonged exposure over weeks and months could cause health problems.Prof Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer for England, stressed the risk of harm was "low" but there was some concern that prolonged exposure over weeks and months could cause health problems.
Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu said the "prime focus" of the investigation, which will take many weeks, was how the poison was administered.Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu said the "prime focus" of the investigation, which will take many weeks, was how the poison was administered.
Police have appealed for any witnesses who saw the pair in Mr Skripal's red BMW - licence plate number HD09 WAO - between 13:00 GMT and 13:45 GMT on the day of the attack.Police have appealed for any witnesses who saw the pair in Mr Skripal's red BMW - licence plate number HD09 WAO - between 13:00 GMT and 13:45 GMT on the day of the attack.
Officers have identified more than 240 witnesses and are looking at over 380 pieces of evidence.Officers have identified more than 240 witnesses and are looking at over 380 pieces of evidence.
More than 250 counter-terrorism officers are involved in the investigation, and about 180 military personnel were deployed to help remove vehicles and objects which may have been contaminated.More than 250 counter-terrorism officers are involved in the investigation, and about 180 military personnel were deployed to help remove vehicles and objects which may have been contaminated.
Personnel from the Defence Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centre at Porton Down in Wiltshire identified the nerve agent.Personnel from the Defence Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centre at Porton Down in Wiltshire identified the nerve agent.
How has the government responded?How has the government responded?
The government wants answers from the Russian leadership.The government wants answers from the Russian leadership.
Mrs May said: "Should there be no credible response, we will conclude that this action amounts to an unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the United Kingdom."Mrs May said: "Should there be no credible response, we will conclude that this action amounts to an unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the United Kingdom."
She said the decision to blame Russia is based on "Russia's record of conducting state-sponsored assassinations and our assessment that Russia views some defectors as legitimate targets for assassinations". She said the decision to blame Russia was based on "Russia's record of conducting state-sponsored assassinations and our assessment that Russia views some defectors as legitimate targets for assassinations".
Russia has until the end of Tuesday to respond to the government's requests.Russia has until the end of Tuesday to respond to the government's requests.
If it does not, Mrs May said she would outline the UK's next actions on Wednesday.If it does not, Mrs May said she would outline the UK's next actions on Wednesday.
The Foreign Office has said the UK will brief fellow Nato members at a session of the alliance's main decision-making body - the North Atlantic Council - on Wednesday.
What has Russia said?What has Russia said?
Russia has dismissed suggestions linking Moscow to the incident.Russia has dismissed suggestions linking Moscow to the incident.
Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said claims of Russian involvement were "all rubbish". Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said claims of Russian involvement were "all rubbish". He also said Russia would not co-operate with the UK investigation until it had been given a sample of the poison used.
He also said Russia would not co-operate with the UK investigation until it had been given a sample of the poison used. The Russian Embassy in the UK has warned that any threat to take "punitive" measures against Russia will "meet with a response".
Russian Duma MP Andrei Lugovoi called Mrs May's remarks "hasty and irresponsible".Russian Duma MP Andrei Lugovoi called Mrs May's remarks "hasty and irresponsible".
Mr Lugovoi, himself a suspect in the poisoning of former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006, told Russian news agency Interfax: "Any chemist or physicist will tell you that in order to determine the involvement or non-involvement of a country, there must at least be some serious expert analyses carried out at a serious expert level.Mr Lugovoi, himself a suspect in the poisoning of former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006, told Russian news agency Interfax: "Any chemist or physicist will tell you that in order to determine the involvement or non-involvement of a country, there must at least be some serious expert analyses carried out at a serious expert level.
"When such statements are made within a few days (of the incident), the only thing this shows is the irresponsibility of the person who makes them. It may also indicate that to find the truth is not the aim.""When such statements are made within a few days (of the incident), the only thing this shows is the irresponsibility of the person who makes them. It may also indicate that to find the truth is not the aim."
Who are the victims?Who are the victims?
Colonel Skripal is a retired Russian military intelligence officer who was convicted of passing the identities of Russian intelligence agents working undercover in Europe to the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6.Colonel Skripal is a retired Russian military intelligence officer who was convicted of passing the identities of Russian intelligence agents working undercover in Europe to the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6.
He was jailed for 13 years by Russia in 2006.He was jailed for 13 years by Russia in 2006.
In July 2010, he was one of four prisoners released by Moscow in exchange for 10 Russian spies arrested by the FBI as part of a swap. He was later flown to the UK. In July 2010, he was one of four prisoners released by Moscow in exchange for 10 Russian spies arrested by the FBI. He was later flown to the UK.
According to BBC Newsnight's diplomatic editor Mark Urban, in recent years Mr Skripal gave lectures at military academies offering insights into Russia's foreign military intelligence agency, the GRU.According to BBC Newsnight's diplomatic editor Mark Urban, in recent years Mr Skripal gave lectures at military academies offering insights into Russia's foreign military intelligence agency, the GRU.
A friend from college, Vladimir Svyatski, described Mr Skripal as "very active, with a positive attitude and creative".A friend from college, Vladimir Svyatski, described Mr Skripal as "very active, with a positive attitude and creative".
A former colleague, Oleg Ivanov, told the BBC he was "the life and soul of party".A former colleague, Oleg Ivanov, told the BBC he was "the life and soul of party".
His daughter, Yulia, would regularly travel to the UK from her home in Moscow to visit her father, relatives told the BBC.His daughter, Yulia, would regularly travel to the UK from her home in Moscow to visit her father, relatives told the BBC.
"She told me she liked everything [in the UK]," childhood friend Irina Petrova said. "They had an amazing place, and amazing house.""She told me she liked everything [in the UK]," childhood friend Irina Petrova said. "They had an amazing place, and amazing house."
She had an "excellent" relationship with her father, Ms Petrova said, and had been the "perfect kid", getting excellent grades at school.She had an "excellent" relationship with her father, Ms Petrova said, and had been the "perfect kid", getting excellent grades at school.
Ms Skripal, who friends say worked for multinationals including Nike and PepsiCo, was "always smiling, just like her mother", Ms Petrova added.Ms Skripal, who friends say worked for multinationals including Nike and PepsiCo, was "always smiling, just like her mother", Ms Petrova added.
What else do we know about the family?What else do we know about the family?
Mr Skripal's wife, Liudmila, died in 2012 after suffering from cancer. His elder brother and son have died in the past two years.Mr Skripal's wife, Liudmila, died in 2012 after suffering from cancer. His elder brother and son have died in the past two years.
Some of the deaths, the family believe, were in suspicious circumstances.Some of the deaths, the family believe, were in suspicious circumstances.
His son, Alexander Skripal, died aged 43 last July in St Petersburg from liver failure. He is buried in Salisbury, close to his mother.His son, Alexander Skripal, died aged 43 last July in St Petersburg from liver failure. He is buried in Salisbury, close to his mother.
Mr Skripal's family deny that he worked for MI6, and believe that the espionage case was fabricated by Russia. Mr Skripal's family deny that he worked for MI6 and believe that the espionage case was fabricated by Russia.
Has this happened in the UK before?Has this happened in the UK before?
The possibility of an unknown substance being involved has drawn comparisons with the 2006 poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko.The possibility of an unknown substance being involved has drawn comparisons with the 2006 poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko.
The former Russian intelligence officer died in London after drinking tea laced with a radioactive substance.The former Russian intelligence officer died in London after drinking tea laced with a radioactive substance.
A public inquiry concluded that his killing had probably been carried out with the approval of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.A public inquiry concluded that his killing had probably been carried out with the approval of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
An investigation by Buzzfeed News claims that there have been at least 14 deaths in the UK that US officials suspected were connected to Russia.An investigation by Buzzfeed News claims that there have been at least 14 deaths in the UK that US officials suspected were connected to Russia.
Do you have any information to share on this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Do you have any information to share on this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts.You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts.
Or use the form belowOr use the form below