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Police officer injured in Russian spy poisoning says 'life will never be the same' as he is released from hospital

Det Sgt Nick Bailey has been released from hospital - PA
Det Sgt Nick Bailey has been released from hospital - PA

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey has said "life will never be the same again" after being discharged from hospital following the Salisbury attack. 

The officer, who was exposed to the Novichok nerve agent, said he has been "overwhelmed" by the support  he has received during what has been a "surreal" experience.

The development came as a High Court judge gave doctors permission to take blood samples from Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia so that tests can be carried out by chemical weapons experts.

The Russian spy and his daughter may have suffered permanent brain damage and their condition could “rapidly deteriorate,” tests have shown.

Mr Justice Williams heard details about the case at a private Court of Protection hearing in London, after which he gave permission for blood samples to be taken from the pair to enable international chemical weapons experts to carry out crucial tests.

In a detailed judgment, he said the pair lacked the mental capacity to give permission and revealed that the Skripals remain in a critical condition under heavy sedation and may never recover from the Salisbury nerve agent attack.

Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia
Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia

He said Mr Skripal was unable to communicate at all, while his daughter could not communicate “in any meaningful way.”

Not a single friend or relative has sought information from the hospital about their condition since they were admitted almost three weeks ago, the court heard.

“The precise effect of their exposure on their long term health remains unclear, albeit medical tests indicate that their mental capacity might be compromised to an unknown and so far unascertained degree,” the judge said.

“At present both Mr and Ms Skripal are critical but stable; it is not inconceivable that their condition could rapidly deteriorate.”

He said it was not possible to say whether the “current lack of capacity” was temporary or permanent.

“On balance the lack of capacity arises from an impairment or disturbance of the brain arising out of both sedation and the impact of the exposure to a nerve agent,” he added.

Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia
Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia

As Det Sgt Bailey was released from Salisbury District Hospital, he said in a statement: "People ask me how I am feeling - but there are really no words to explain how I feel right now.

"Surreal is the word that keeps cropping up - and it really has been completely surreal.

"I have been so very overwhelmed by the support, cards and messages I have received - everyone has been so incredible."

His wife Sarah said in a statement: "This has quite simply been the most traumatic event of our life and it feels like our world has been turned upside down in a really short space of time.

"I am so grateful for the support from our immediate family and friends and the police family liaison officers through this last few weeks - I really don't know how I would have coped without them.

"I never really realised what the term 'police family' was all about until this incident - but now I really do. All the messages we have received from the police family have been so heart-warming and have meant so very much to me, I can't put it into words.

"Nick doesn't like the term hero, but he has always been a hero to me and our children."