Quantum of malice
POISON victim Sergei Skripal finally left hospital as Vladimir Putin taunted the UK that the ex-spy would be dead if Russia had done it.
Sergei, 66, and daughter Yulia, 33, were left fighting for life after the Novichok nerve agent attack more than two months ago.
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Police believe Moscow authorised the chemical weapon hit because exiled Russian Sergei was a former double agent.
Russia denies involvement and leader Putin boasted: “If a military-grade poison had been used, the man would have died on the spot. Thank God he recovered.”
Sergei and Yulia were found slumped in Salisbury, Wilts, on March 4 and put into an isolation unit at the city’s hospital.
Docs feared they would die but Yulia was discharged last month and now Sergei is out.
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They are understood to be in a remote safe house with armed cops protecting them.
Russia’s ambassador Alexander Yakovenko demanded to see the pair, suggesting Britain had kidnapped them.
Local cop Det Sgt Nick Bailey, 38, was also exposed to the poison but was released from hospital after two weeks.
Salisbury District Hospital chief Cara Charles-Barks said her staff had demonstrated the very best of the NHS.
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Soldiers begin the decontamination of areas around Salisbury by replacing 'contaminated' paving where ex-Russian spy Sergi Skripal was poisoned
In a statement, Scotland Yard said: "Detectives from the UK's Counter Terrorism Policing network continue to investigate the attempted murders of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury in March this year.
They are both making good progress and we are pleased that Mr Skripal has now also been released from hospital.
"This is a complex investigation and detectives continue to gather and piece together all the evidence to establish the full facts and circumstances behind this dreadful attack.
In the interests of Sergei and Yulia's safety, we will not be discussing any protective or security arrangements that are in place."
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Local cop DS Nick Bailey was also affected by the nerve agent and was released after a two week stay in hospital. Salisbury District Hospital chief executive Cara Charles-Barks described Mr Skripal's discharge as "fantastic news".
She said: "That he, Yulia and DS Bailey have been able to leave us so soon after coming into contact with this nerve agent is thanks to the hard work, skill and professionalism of our clinicians, who provide outstanding care to all our patients, day in and day out.
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Russia raises doubts over Yulia Skripal statement released by police after Salisbury chemical attack
The OPCW report confirms the UK's findings that military-grade nerve agent novichock was used in the Salisbury attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal
Hail the medics
By Prof Alastair Hay
SUPERB medical care has been key to their survival and recovery.
First aid is vital and prompt recognition of the signs they were displaying on admission to hospital almost certainly played a huge part.
As long as brain damage is prevented, many victims of severe nerve agent poisoning make a good physical recovery.
Post-traumatic stress is frequent though.
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