Backlash over delay in Salisbury public health warning as 500 are told to wash their clothes, phones and glasses a week after spy attack
Punters were told to scrub personal items such as phones, handbags and jewellery with cleaning or baby wipes
GOVERNMENT health bosses are facing a furious backlash after taking a WEEK to warn Salisbury residents that up to 500 people could face long-term health issues after coming into contact with a deadly nerve agent.
Hundreds of pub-goers and diners were urged to wash their clothes and phones after traces of the toxin were discovered in areas visited by poisoned Russian spy Sergei Skripal.
Chief medical officer for England Dame Sally Davies said there was concern that "long term exposure to these substances may over weeks, and particularly months, give rise to health problems."
She advised a "belt and braces approach" to anyone who was in The Mill pub between 1.30pm last Sunday and 11.10pm on Monday, or the nearby Zizzi restaurant between 1.30pm on Sunday and 9pm on Monday.
Punters were told to scrub personal items such as phones, handbags and jewellery with cleaning or baby wipes.
Public Health England issued the advice as a precaution, but said the risk to the general public remains "low".
This possibility is centred on if the flowers were sent to the former double agent's home by whoever targeted him accompanied by a card to suggest they came from a friend of his wife and a request to take them to the cemetery.
Yesterday, Sergeant Nick Bailey , 38, - who fell critically ill after coming into contact with the nerve agent - said he 'does not consider himself a hero.'
A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "Nick would like us to say on his behalf that he and his family are hugely grateful for all the messages of support from the public, and colleagues from the police family.
"He wants to say that he does not consider himself a ‘hero’, he states he was merely doing his job."
Counter terrorism police investigating the suspected nerve agent attack have identified over 200 witnesses and are looking at more than 240 pieces of evidence, Home Secretary Amber Rudd has said.
Following a meeting of the government’s Cobra committee, she said there were more than 250 counter terrorism police involved in the investigation which was proceeding with “speed and professionalism”.
Russian double agent Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia are still fighting for their lives after being exposed to a toxic substance in the Wiltshire city last Sunday.
Suspicion is mounting that Russia carried out the attempt on their lives as an act of revenge against the former intelligence officer, who was convicted in 2006 of selling state secrets to MI6.
The Kremlin denies responsibility and British ministers have urged caution over apportioning blame until the facts become clear.
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