Intelligence experts are looking at Yulias arrival in Salisbury at the end of February not far from a British defence base and whether it triggered a Russian hit squad to swing into action. Her *arrival coincided with the Beast from the East heavy snowstorm that sent temperatures plummeting and froze the countryside. The two didnt venture far: stepping out a few times to have lunch at an Italian chain eatery Zizzi and then a few drinks at the 16th-century pub The Mill nearby.
If such a death squad was poised to strike, the grey skies and freezing weather would have posed some problems with getting the two in an isolated area away from CCTV cameras, and perhaps impacting on the efficacy of the poison. But whoever was behind the plan had to move fast for, on Sunday, Yulia was preparing to return to Russia. As had been Sergei Skripals usual Sunday routine, the two emerged about 1.30pm to enjoy risotto and garlic bread at Zizzi and a pint of San Miguel and a glass of white wine at The Mill.
Witnesses said later Sergei was agitated at both the restaurant and the pub, gesticulating to Yulia and demanding quicker service and insisting on an isolated table at the rear rather than near the front window. His rudeness was seemingly at odds with neighbours descriptions of a quiet, friendly man. Investigators are looking at whether he may have already been poisoned at that point and have extended the cordon to his home for further testing.