COUNTER-terror police were back in the Maltings today as the investigation into the attempted murder of Sergei and Yulia Skripal continues.

Officers in protective suits were seen taking samples from the scene.

It comes after the Russian former spy and his daughter were found unconscious in Salisbury last Sunday after being deliberately poisoned with a nerve agent.

Met Police chief Mark Rowley said the investigation into the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal is being treated as attempted murder and that the pair were “targeted specifically” with a nerve agent.

After a meeting of the National Security Council on Monday, Prime Minister Theresa May told MPs in the House of Commons that the substance used was Novichok, a military grade agent of Russian origin. 

On Wednesday Mrs May told MPs the response from Moscow had showed “complete disdain”, and that the government would take “immediate action” to dismantle the Russian espionage network in the United Kingdom. 

This could include increased powers to detain potential spies at the UK border, and will see 23 Russian diplomats expelled from the country.

On Tuesday afternoon, hours before the prime minister’s deadline for an explanation, the Russian Embassy announced it would not respond to Britain’s “ultimatum” until it has received samples of the nerve agent used.

It also said: “Any threat to take ‘punitive’ measures against Russia will meet with a response. The British side should be aware of that.”

In Salisbury, counter terror police from Scotland Yard continued their inquiries.

The military were called in to assist with removing vehicles and evidence, and new cordons were set up.

Salisbury ambulance station, the top of Sainsbury’s car park, a recovery garage and Bourne Hill all saw heavy activity over the past week.

The cemetery on London Road where Mr Skripal’s wife and son are buried remains cordoned off, with The Times reporting that their deaths will now form part of the investigation.

And police revealed that one of the first officers on the scene, Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, was in a serious condition in Salisbury District Hospital, but that he was awake and engaging with doctors, investigators and his family.