Russian spy's daughter Yulia Skripal discharged from hospital following poisoning

  • Video report from ITV News Wales & West of England Correspondent Rupert Evelyn

Yulia Skripal, who was poisoned along with her former double agent father Sergei in Salisbury last month, has been discharged from hospital.

The Russian Embassy paid tribute to the NHS after she was released, but reiterated its demand to meet with her. It said the "secret resettlement" of the Skripals will be seen as "abduction".

In a statement it said: "Media reports that Yulia has left hospital for a 'secure location' cause concern as they mean that British authorities are continuing their policy of isolating her from the public."

The 33-year-old Russian national had spent more than a month in hospital after coming into contact with the military-grade nerve agent Novichok.

She is reported to have been released on Monday and taken to a secure location.

Announcing an update on Ms Skripal's condition, Salisbury District Hospital, medical director Dr Christine Blanshard said: "This is not the end of her treatment but marks a significant milestone."

Commenting on Mr Sergei's health, Dr Blanshard said: "Although he is recovering more slowly than Yulia, we hope that he too will be able to leave hospital in due course."

In a statement following Ms Skripal's release the Russian Embassy in London said: "We congratulate Yulia on her recovery. Yet we need urgent proof that what is being done to her is done on her own free will."

Last week Yulia released a statement, saying she and her father Sergei were recovering and their strength was "growing daily".

In her statement Ms Skripal said: "I woke up over a week ago now and am glad to say my strength is growing daily. I am grateful for the interest in me and for the many messages of goodwill that I have received.

"I have many people to thank for my recovery and would especially like to mention the people of Salisbury that came to my aid when my father and I were incapacitated. Further than that, I would like to thank the staff at Salisbury District Hospital for their care and professionalism.

"I am sure you appreciate that the entire episode is somewhat disorientating, and I hope that you’ll respect my privacy and that of my family during the period of my convalescence."

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."

Dr Christine Blanshard from Salisbury District Hospital gave a statement outside the hospital.

However the Foreign Office has said the pair are likely go have "ongoing medical needs".

Moscow has denied being responsible for the poisoning of the Skripals but the incident has plunged diplomatic relations between Russia and the West into the deep freeze.

Last week Russia warned Britain that "it will be sorry" over its handling over the poisoning.

In a stark message, Moscow's ambassador to the UN said the UK was "playing with fire" over the case.

It is believed the the pair are likely go have Credit: PA

Vasily Nebenzya said: "Couldn't you come up with a better fake story? We all know what the worth of British intelligence information is based on the experience of Tony Blair.

"We have told our British colleagues that you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry."

He added that the nerve agent Novichok was "not copyrighted by Russia, in spite of the obviously Russian name".

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson used a Sunday Times article to accuse Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of lending "false credibility" to Moscow by not blaming the Russian state for the poisoning.

Mr Johnson said the Kremlin had released a "torrent of absurdity" following the attack.