YULIA Skripal said her "strength is growing daily" in her first statement since she and her father, a Russian former spy, were poisoned with a nerve agent in the city.  

It comes after Yulia is said to have confirmed she and her father are fine and that she will be discharged soon in an alleged call to her cousin aired on Russian television. 

In an official statement released through the Met Police, Yulia 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.”

Yulia's father Sergei Skripal is still in a critical but stable condition in Salisbury hospital. 

Her cousin Viktoria Skripal this morning claimed to have spoken by telephone to Yulia, who was last said to be in a serious condition, but no longer critical. 

A recording of the call was given to the Rossiya-1 TV channel but it said its authenticity had not been verified.

The woman claiming to be Yulia said in the conversation that her father Sergei "is all right".

"Everyone is recovering, everyone survived... No irreparable harm was done. That's all, I will soon be discharged from the hospital," she added.

The BBC later published this transcript of the call, which was allegedly made this morning.

Viktoria: Hello?

Alleged Yulia: Hello. Do you hear me?

Viktoria: Yes, I hear you.

Alleged Yulia: It is Yulia Skripal.

Viktoria: Oh, Yulka [diminutive of Yulia] it is you! I recognise from your voice that it is you but cannot understand. So, they gave you a telephone, didn't they?

Alleged Yulia: Yes, yes.

Viktoria: Thanks God! Yulyash [diminutive of Yulia], is everything okay with you?

Alleged Yulia: Everything is ok, everything is fine.

Viktoria: Look, if tomorrow I get a (British) visa, I will come to you on Monday.

Alleged Yulia: Vika, no-one will give you the visa.

Viktoria: Well I thought so too. Oh well.

Alleged Yulia: Most likely.

Viktoria: If they give it, I need you to tell me whether I can visit you or not, tell me that I can.

Alleged Yulia: I think no, there is such a situation now, we'll sort it out later.

Viktoria: I know it, I know it all.

Alleged Yulia: Later, we will get it sorted later, everything's fine, we'll see later.

Viktoria: Is it your phone?

Alleged Yulia: It is a temporary phone. Everything is fine, but we'll see how it goes, we'll decide later. You know what the situation is here. Everything is fine, everything is solvable, everyone (he and her father) is recovering and is alive.

Viktoria: Clear! Is everything ok with your father?

Alleged Yulia: Everything is ok. He is resting now, having a sleep. Everyone's health is fine, there are no irreparable things. I will be discharged soon. Everything is ok.

Viktoria: Kisses, my bunny.

Alleged Yulia: Bye.