Sergei Skripal, the one-time Russian double agent, and his daughter who are both critically ill and currently in intensive care in hospital, was exposed to a nerve agent, police have confirmed.

Speculation suggests the nerve agent in liquid form could possibly be delivered though a small palm size air pressure pump action spray atomiser, normally used for perfume or mouth freshener. 

Sergei Skripal, the one-time Russian double agent, and his daughter who are both critically ill and currently in intensive care in hospital, were both exposed to a nerve agent, police have confirmed. 

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley would not be drawn on the detail of the major incident investigation currently in progress but suggested that a mountain of CCTV and other recorded images were being examined.

He also made an appeal for any member of the public who took video phone footage or pictures to come forward as their images could assist the investigation or give an indication as to how the poison was administered. 

Speculation suggests the nerve agent could be delivered though a small palm size air pressure pump action spray atomiser, freely commercially available and the type normally used for perfume or mouth freshener. These devices are small enough to be carried in a handbag or pocket.

Medical specialists claim that a dose of less than 20 milligrams would be needed to be administered. This style of attack was at one time favoured by Russian female 'honey-trap' agents, during the late 1960's, operating in the Former German Democratic Republic. They would routinely target visiting businessmen attending the Leipzig Trade Fair. The atomised spray would be discreetly directed towards food or drink.

Skripal, 66, and daughter Yulia were taken to hospital after collapsing on a bench in Salisbury, on Sunday.

The father and daughter were deliberately targeted, according to Met Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley . He would not specify the type of nerve agent or if scientists at Porton Down had narrowed down the nerve agent category used.

The Skripals are currently in critical condition at a Salisbury hospital. A police officer who responded to the case was also seriously injured, Rowley said.

Specialist counterterrorist police officers are currently leading the investigation. So far this has not been declared it a terrorist incident but police say they were "keeping an open mind as to what happened." 

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