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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/11/novichok-victim-charlie-rowley-speaks-to-police-nerve-agent

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Novichok victim Charlie Rowley speaks to police Novichok victim out of critical condition and speaking to police
(35 minutes later)
The Wiltshire man poisoned by novichok has begun talking to detectives racing to find the source and location of the nerve agent that killed his partner and left him critically ill. The Wiltshire man poisoned by novichok is no longer in a critical condition and has begun talking to detectives who are trying to find the source and location of the nerve agent.
Charlie Rowley, 45, began answering questions after days in a coma after being taken seriously ill, following exposure to the nerve agent. Charlie Rowley, 45, spent days in a coma after being taken seriously ill on Saturday. Salisbury district hospital’s nursing director, Lorna Wilkinson, said he had made further progress overnight.
He is in hospital under guard and holds crucial information with significant implications for public safety, national security and relations with Russia, which is blamed for the use of novichok on British soil. “He is no longer in a critical condition. His condition is now serious but stable. Our staff will continue to work hard to provide the care that Charlie needs. Charlie still has some way to go to recover but the progress we’ve seen so far gives us cause for optimism.”
Rowley is under guard in hospital and may have information with significant implications for public safety, national security and UK relations with Russia, which has been blamed for the use of novichok on British soil.
Detectives from Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command believe they may have to wait days for Rowley to regain his memory and the ability to focus on the questions he is being asked.Detectives from Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command believe they may have to wait days for Rowley to regain his memory and the ability to focus on the questions he is being asked.
The crucial questions are when and where he came across a container containing novichok. Rowley and his partner, Dawn Sturgess, handled the small container made of glass, plastic or metal, which led them to fall ill on Saturday. It killed Sturgess, 44, who died on Sunday evening. The crucial question is when and where he came across a container containing novichok. Rowley and his partner, Dawn Sturgess, handled the small container, made of glass, plastic or metal, which led to them falling ill on Saturday. Sturgess, 44, died on Sunday evening.
Rowley is described as very tired and groggy after his ordeal due to the effects of a nerve agent so toxic it put him in a coma. Rowley was described as very tired and groggy due to the effects of the nerve agent.
Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command said: “Officers from the investigation team have spoken briefly to Charlie and will be looking to further speak with him in coming days as they continue to try to establish how he and Dawn came to be contaminated with the nerve agent. Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command said: “Officers from the investigation team have spoken briefly to Charlie and will be looking to further speak with him in the coming days as they continue to try to establish how he and Dawn came to be contaminated with the nerve agent.
“Any contact officers have with Charlie will be done in close consultation with the hospital and his doctors. We will not be providing further commentary around our contact with Charlie.”“Any contact officers have with Charlie will be done in close consultation with the hospital and his doctors. We will not be providing further commentary around our contact with Charlie.”
Sturgess and Rowley fell ill four months after novichok was used to try to assassinate former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, after it was smeared on the door of their Salisbury home. Four months ago novichok was used to try to kill a Russian former spy, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter, Yulia, at their Salisbury home.
The nerve agent could last for 50 years if it remains in a container, Britain’s top counter-terrorism officer has said. Britain’s top counter-terrorism officer has said the nerve agent could remain effective for up to 50 years if it is in a container.
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