Salisbury poisoning: Charles and Camilla to visit city in show of support after nerve agent attack
Written by News on 12/06/2018
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are to visit Salisbury later this month to lend support to the Wiltshire city following a nerve agent attack.
Businesses and local residents will have the chance to meet the royal couple in the city centre on 22 June, before the pair attend a reception for those playing an active role in helping Salisbury get back on its feet.
They include emergency services, civic dignitaries, local and national agencies, and representatives for business, marketing and events, and arts and culture.
Local leaders have been encouraging tourists and shoppers to return to Salisbury and they were helped when the Maltings shopping centre re-opened a few weeks ago following a clean-up operation.
The city became the focus of police attention following the nerve agent poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia on 4 March near the Maltings.
The Skripals were found unconscious on a park bench and were taken to Salisbury District Hospital, along with Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, sparking an investigation which is still ongoing.
All three have been released from hospital.
A large area of the city was sealed off in the inquiry, with the shopping centre closed for 11 weeks until it was declared safe.
The bench the Skripals sat on will not be replaced but may become the location of an art installation.
It was recently revealed the investigation is expected to cost Wiltshire Police £7.5m, while more than 2,300 objects were recovered from the scene and 900 witness statements taken.
Alistair Cunningham, chair of the recovery coordinating group, said: “Whilst the recovery work is well under way, there is still a lot to be done and this visit is a real boost for the city.
“Everyone here is so pleased that their royal highnesses have decided to visit and I am sure that local residents and visitors will join us to welcome them to the city centre and to celebrate this special royal visit.”
The Government has accused Russia of being behind the attack but Moscow has repeatedly denied responsibility for the incident.
(c) Sky News 2018: Salisbury poisoning: Charles and Camilla to visit city in show of support after nerve agent attack
