UK officials say attack on ex-Russian spy was ‘brazen and reckless’ amid probe into nerve agent

A former Russian spy and his daughter who were poisoned with a nerve agent Sunday are in critical but stable condition, British Home Secretary Amber Rudd on Thursday.

Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were found unconscious on a bench in the English city of Salisbury Sunday after being poisoned with a “very rare” nerve agent.

A source told the BBC the nerve agent used is thought to be rarer than Sarin gas.

Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a bench in the English city of Salisbury Sunday.  (AP)

A police officer, who also became ill after treating the father and daughter, is in serious but stable condition. Rudd said the officer is “talking and engaging.” She said it is highly likely the officer was exposed to the same nerve agent.

Rudd said the attack is an “outrageous crime” and a “brazen and reckless act” but cautions it is too early to say who was behind it.

Rudd told the BBC that enormous resources are being directed at trying to figure out who might be responsible for the poisoning of Skripal and his daughter.

EX-RUSSIAN SPY, DAUGHTER REMAIN IN CRITICAL CONDITION AS UK LAWMAKERS PROBE POSSIBLE KREMLIN LINK

The Skripal case is reminiscent of the 2006 killing of another former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned in London with radioactive polonium-210.

A British inquiry into Litvinenko’s death found that Russian agents poisoned him by lacing his tea with radioactive polonium-210 and that the killing was probably approved by President Vladimir Putin. Russia has denied any involvement in Litvinenko’s death, and this week said it wasn’t involved in Skripal’s collapse.

Authorities do not believe the same nerve agent was used in the attack on Skripal and his daughter.

Police blockade area where the attack occurred in Salisbury, United Kingdom.  (AP)

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told lawmakers Tuesday that if Moscow is shown to have been involved in the Skripal case, the government would act — possibly downgrading England’s participation in this year’s soccer World Cup in Russia. Johnson warned British officials may not be involved in the sporting event “in the normal way,” but did not elaborate.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told lawmakers if Moscow is involved in the attack the government would act.  (AP)

The BBC reported the investigation could take weeks before the government confirms any Russian involvement.

Skripal served with Russia’s military intelligence, often known by its Russian-language acronym GRU, and retired in 1999. He then worked at the Foreign Ministry until 2003 and later became involved in business.

EX-RUSSIAN SPY, DAUGHTER POISONED BY NERVE AGENT IN ‘TARGETED’ ACT, BRITISH AUTHORITIES SAY

Skripal was convicted in 2006 in Russia on charges of spying for Britain and sentenced to 13 years, but was freed in 2010 in a U.S.-Russian spy swap.

Following his arrest in Moscow in December 2004, Skripal confessed to having been recruited by British special services in 1995 and feeding them information about Russian agents in Europe, receiving more than $100,000 for his services.

Skripal, whose wife and son died in recent years, reportedly told police before the incident that he feared for his life, the Daily News reported. He also reportedly told police that he believed he was poisoned.

Witnesses told the BBC Skripal acted “very strange” and “very agitated” moments before he was found unconscious on the bench. The former spy was seen “screaming at the top of his voice” for the check at Zizzi restaurant in Salisbury on Sunday.

Fox News’ Travis Fedschun and the Associated Press contributed to this report.