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The daughter of a former Russian spy poisoned in a suspected nerve agent attack alongside her father has refused help from the Russian embassy.
Key points:
- Yulia Skripal says she will not accept help from the Russian embassy at this time
- She asks for her cousin Viktoria not to contact her
- Ms Skripal was taken to a secret location after being discharged from hospital
In a statement issued on her behalf by British police, Yulia Skripal confirmed earlier reports she had rejected an offer of assistance from the embassy as she and her father Sergei recover from last month's attack.
"I have access to friends and family, and I have been made aware of my specific contacts at the Russian Embassy who have kindly offered me their assistance in any way they can," she said.
"At the moment I do not wish to avail myself of their services, but, if I change my mind I know how to contact them."
The Russian embassy in London has previously said it had not been granted consular access to the 33-year-old woman.
Ms Skripal was discharged from a hospital in the English city of Salisbury on Monday.
"I have left my father in their care, and he is still seriously ill," she said.
"I too am still suffering with the effects of the nerve agent used against us."
Ms Skripal said she was treated "with obvious clinical expertise and with such kindness" at the hospital.
Ms Skripal's statement said she was not yet strong enough to give a media interview.
"Until that time, I want to stress that no-one speaks for me, or for my father, but ourselves," she said.
The Russian embassy, which has denied any Moscow link to the Skripals' poisoning, described the statement as an "interesting read" and said it doubted that it came from Ms Skripal.
"Particularly amazing is the phrase 'no-one speaks for me' appearing in a statement which, instead of being read on camera by Yulia herself, is published at Scotland Yard website," a statement from the embassy said.
"To sum up, the document only strengthens suspicions that we are dealing with a forcible isolation of the Russian citizen.
"If British authorities are interested in assuring the public that this is not the case, they must urgently provide tangible evidence that Yulia is alright and not deprived of her freedom."
Controversial comments made by cousin in Russia
Ms Skripal also addressed a controversy over her cousin, Viktoria.
British officials alleged that Viktoria was a pawn of the Russian Government after she gave interviews with Russian media outlets.
Ms Skripal said she did not support comments made by her cousin to the media.
"I thank my cousin Viktoria for her concern for us, but ask that she does not visit me or try to contact me for the time being," she said.
"Her opinions and assertions are not mine and they are not my father's."
Russian state television had previously played a recording of what they said was a phone call Ms Skripal had to her cousin in Russia from hospital, saying she and her father were both recovering and she expected to be discharged soon.
There was no explanation how the call was recorded, especially because Viktoria is heard on the call expressing surprise at hearing her cousin, who was in critical condition until a week ago.
Taken to an unknown location
Ms Skripal said she found herself in a totally different life from the ordinary one she experienced before the poisoning.
The Skripals were in a critical condition for weeks after the March 4 attack before their health improved.
Britain accused Russia of being behind the nerve agent attack and Western governments, including the United States, expelled more than 100 Russian diplomats.
Russia has denied any involvement in the poisoning.
Salisbury District Hospital medical director Christine Blanshard said Mr Skripal, the apparent target of the nerve agent attack, was recovering more slowly than his daughter but continued to improve.
Ms Skripal was taken to an unknown location after being discharged from hospital and the British Government is likely to keep it a secret given the sensitivity of the case.
Reuters/AP
Topics: world-politics, foreign-affairs, government-and-politics, united-kingdom, russian-federation
First posted