Sergei Skripal no longer in critical condition and improving rapidly after nerve agent attack

Stricken double agent Sergei Skripal is now "improving rapidly" along with his daughter, a month on since their poisoning in Salisbury.

Doctors said on Friday that the 66-year-old Russian was "responding well to treatment" and no longer in a critical condition.

It comes a day after Scotland Yard issued a statement on behalf of Yulia Skripal, who said her health was strengthening every day.

After the latest announcement, Russia's embassy to the UK tweeted "Good news!" - despite the UK having blamed Moscow for the attack.

Dr Christine Blanshard from Salisbury District Hospital confirmed that Ms Skripal's strength was "growing daily".

She continued: "I also want to update you on the condition of her father, Sergei Skripal.

"He is responding well to treatment, improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition."

In another development, investigators say that two guinea pigs were found dead at Mr Skripal's home - and that a cat was also discovered in a distressed state and later euthanised.

The case has culminated in a diplomatic row between the UK and Russia, with the Kremlin vehemently denying claims it was involved.

On Thursday, Russia warned Britain that "it will be sorry" over its handling of the case and that the UK was "playing with fire".

It issued the threat during a UN Security Council meeting in New York, called specifically to discuss the poisoning.

Britain, however, stands by its conclusion that the Kremlin is "highly likely" to have carried out the attack.

And on Friday, the UK rejected a visa request from Ms Skripal's cousin, Viktoria Skripal, to visit from Russia.

This week there has been confusion over the source of the nerve agent Novichok after Boris Johnson claimed the UK's defence laboratory Porton Down had pinned it on Russia.

But the head of Porton Down then clarified that its role had not been to establish where it originated - adding that the Government's conclusion was based on "a number of other sources".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn later said the Foreign Secretary had "egg on his face for the statement".

On Wednesday, Russia lost a vote at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague over demand for its experts to be involved in testing samples of the substance used in the attack.