Salisbury Incident

Debate between Lord Selkirk of Douglas and Baroness Evans of Bowes Park

Wednesday 14th March 2018 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

As I said in my answer to the noble Countess, we are aware of a number of individuals who have presented at Salisbury District Hospital following the recent incident, but they have been assessed and discharged. Advice has of course been provided to GPs, acute hospitals and emergency departments across the NHS. Mr Skripal and his daughter remain in an extremely serious condition; Detective-Sergeant Nick Bailey has been making some recovery and has been able to communicate, but all have obviously had their lives put in grave danger.

[Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Con)]

Will the Leader of the House accept that her Statement tonight is extremely welcome and does she agree that the use of an undeclared weapons programme in our country, seriously threatening the lives of our country men and women, remains most unacceptable? Does she also agree that, if there is further retaliation of a criminal nature against our country men and women, it will be taken very seriously indeed, and that the purpose of the Government will be to protect the lives of our country men and women, as they have in the past?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

My noble friend is absolutely right: ensuring the safety of our citizens is one of the primary functions and roles of the Government. We believe that what has been presented today is a robust but proportionate diplomatic response to this unlawful use of force against the UK by the Russian Federation. There are further measures that we stand ready to deploy at any time should we face further Russian provocation.

Salisbury Incident Update

Debate between Lord Selkirk of Douglas and Baroness Evans of Bowes Park

Monday 12th March 2018 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

I will have to write to the noble Lord, as I do not have an answer to that question.

[Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Con)]

Can my noble friend give an estimate of how many could have been adversely affected by this attack in Salisbury?

[Baroness Evans of Bowes Park]

I do not have figures to hand but, as I said, all those who were in contact with the patients have been contacted by Public Health England and questions asked about their health status. Public Health England does not expect any further patients to present as a result of the event but, if anyone who was in the area is concerned or feels unwell, they should dial 111 or 999, depending on the severity of their symptoms.