Sergei Skripal’s home and a house belonging to a police officer poisoned in the Salisbury nerve agent attack will be bought by taxpayers in a £1m deal that also includes cars and other family possessions.
The novichok used in the failed attempt to assassinate the former Russian spy and his daughter, Yulia, caused widespread contamination and made both houses uninhabitable. The victims’ possessions were also contaminated.
Whitehall officials said Skripal’s home is expected to be bought by the government for about £350,000.