British Military Thanked For 'Incredible' Salisbury Work

The military began assisting in the decontamination in April (Picture: MoD).

Military personnel helping with decontamination work in Salisbury have been thanked by the Communities Secretary. 

Around 200 personnel have been helping with the clean-up following the nerve agent attack on former Russian double spy, Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.

Both have since recovered, although the incident sparked a diplomatic row between Russia, the UK and their allies.

The UK accused Russia of the attack, which the Kremlin denied.

Visiting the city of Salisbury to declare it open for business, Communities Secretary James Brokenshire told Forces News:

"The forces here have been absolutely incredible.

"They have underlined the significance and importance of their work and the capabilities that we hold.

"What's been really positive for me to hear is the way in which the community here have responded to that.

"It's really helped supported that work and really appreciated the amazing work of our military and therefore I think it's that message that I've taken from here, in recognising and saying 'thank you' and also the amazing job that they do."

'UK military has been incredible'

Mr Brokenshire added that the military had been an "essential part" of the decontamination process. 

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Defence told Forces News that more than half of the sites affected by the nerve agent attack in Salisbury have now been decontaminated.

Four more sites are still to be decontaminated. 

Mr Brokenshire said his visit aimed to highlight how Salisbury "has so much to offer".. 

Two more people were poisoned by the nerve agent, 'Novichok', in Amesbury following the poisoning of the Skripals.

The use of the substance was confirmed by defence experts at a military research site, Porton Down.

Charlie Rowley and Dawn Sturgess were poisoned by the substance after handling a Novichok-contaminated item.

Ms Sturgess died following the incident, while Mr Rowley has since recovered.

A murder inquiry into Ms Sturgess' death has been launched and last month it was reported that the suspects had been 'identified' in the attack on the Skripals.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has called for further sanctions on Russia following the Salisbury incident.