Novichok nerve agent traces found in policeman’s blood

British counter-terrorism officers say the Russian toxic nerve agent novichok has been found in a fourth victim.

Yulia and Sergei Skripal.

A fourth victim of the Russian toxic nerve agent novichok has been revealed by British counter-terrorism officers.

Traces of the deadly nerve agent have been found in a blood sample taken from a second police officer who had responded to the initial poisoning of Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English cathedral city of Salisbury in March last year.

Officials said the officer displayed signs at the time of the incident that indicated exposure to a very small amount of novichok and he received medical treatment and returned to duties.

Subsequent forensic analysis of the officer’s blood sample, however, has since confirmed novichok was found in the sample.

“These forensic tests were carried out as part of what remains an ongoing investigation, which has been unprecedented in its complexity and scale and has ­involved thousands of exhibits,’’ the Metropolitan Police said.

“Officers continue to work closely with scientists and experts to meticulously and methodically review and examine the evidence available to us.

“The officer has been informed and continues to receive support from Wiltshire Police along with other officers and staff affected by the events in Salisbury and Amesbury last year.’’

In addition to the Skripals and this new policeman, Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey fell seriously ill after coming in contact with the poison. The Skripals survived.

More than three months after the Skripals were poisoned, in June last year, Dawn Sturgess was given a Nina Ricci fake perfume bottle containing the poison found by her partner, Charlie Rowley. She died some days later after opening the bottle and Mr Rowley became critically ill.

Counter-terrorism police said they had also contacted a small number of other people whose blood samples were taken at the time to seek their consent for forensic analysis to be carried out.

“The purpose of any such test is to assist the criminal investi­gation, and confirm whether there are traces of novichok in the blood samples, thereby forensically identifying any further victims of the attack,’’ police said.

Two Russian military intelligence officers using the aliases “Alexander Petrov” and “Ruslan Boshirov” have been charged by British police for the novichok poisoning and there are European arrest warrants and Interpol Red Notices circulating for them.

Police said they had been unable to account for the perfume bottle, nozzle or box between the attack on the Skripals in March and when Mr Rowley said he found it in June.