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\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\nRowley, who has just weeks left in his role as head of national counter-terrorism policing, said an officer has also been taken seriously ill.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is being treated as a major incident involving attempted murder by administration of a nerve agent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese two people remain critically ill in hospital. Sadly, in addition a police officer who was one of the first to attend the scene in response to the incident is now also in a serious condition in hospital. Wiltshire Police are providing every support to his family.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nA police investigation has focused on a number of properties, including Sarum House next door to the Zizzi Zizzi restaurant. The Home Secretary warned this morning against speculation as rumors began to fly. Amber Rudd said police and the nation \u201chas to respond to evidence not rumor.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWe do know more about the substance and the police will be making a further statement this afternoon in order to share some of that. We must let the police carry on their work,\u201d<\/em> Rudd told the BBC. Earlier today, Rowley said: \u201cWorking alongside Wiltshire police and partner agencies, we continue to carry out extensive inquiries. This investigation is at the early stages and any speculation is unhelpful at this time.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cThe focus at this time is to establish what has caused these people to become critically ill. We would like to reassure members of the public that this incident is being taken extremely seriously and we currently do not believe there is any risk to the wider public.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cThe two people taken ill were in Salisbury centre from around 1.30pm. Did you see anything out of the ordinary? It may be that at the time, nothing appeared out of place or untoward, but with what you now know, you remember something that might be of significance. Your memory of that afternoon and your movements alone could help us with missing pieces of the investigation. The weather was poor that day, so there were not as many people out and about. Every statement we can take is important.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAn emergency meeting of the government\u2019s crisis team, COBRA, has been chaired by Rudd while Counter Terrorism cops were called in.<\/p>\n
Skripal worked as a double agent for the UK intelligence agency MI6 and was jailed in Russia in 2006 for spying for Britain, having passed on the names of undercover Russian intelligence agents. He was later part of a \u201cspy swap\u201d<\/em> in which Russia released four spies in exchange for 10 Russian agents.<\/p>\n