The MI6 codename of the former Russian Spy Sergei Skripal has been revealed as Home Secretary Amber Rudd prepares to chair a meeting of the Government’s Cobra committee.
Mr Skripal, who is currently fighting for his life in hospital after being poisoned with nerve agent, was a highly valued spy for the MI6 whose code name was “Forthwith”, The Times has revealed.
Working as a double agent, Mr Skripal,66, provided Russian military intelligence to the MI6 over a ten year period.
The former intelligence officer was convicted in Russia in 2006 of selling state secrets to MI6, but was later released as part of a spy swap.
Investigators continue to look into the poisoning of Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia,33, which took place on Sunday in Salisbury.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd will chair a meeting of the Government’s Cobra committee at 3pm on Saturday to receive updates on the police case, Downing Street said.
Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was part of the initial response by authorities, is also in a serious condition.
Around 180 troops, including Royal Marines, RAF Regiment troops and chemical warfare specialists, are understood to have been deployed in the city on Friday after Scotland Yard requested specialist help.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said armed forces personnel will return to Salisbury in similar numbers on Saturday as the probe and cleanup operation continues.
Police turned their attention on Friday to the cemetery where the Russian’s wife and son were laid to rest.
The grave of Mr Skripal’s wife Liudmila, who was buried in 2012, and the memorial stone of his son Alexander, who was cremated last year, were cordoned off at the London Road cemetery.
Apparent fears of chemical contamination have also seen Mr Skripal’s home cordoned off while detectives attempt to pin down the origins of the substance used to incapacitate him.
A police car at Salisbury District Hospital was also recovered by officers.
Mr Skripal and Yulia,are still in a “very serious” condition five days after they were discovered slumped on a bench in the city centre.
Suspicion is mounting that Russia carried out the attempt on their lives as an act of revenge against the former double agent.
The Kremlin denies responsibility and British ministers have urged caution over apportioning blame until the facts become clear.
Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said that the military’s presence reflected the “seriousness” of the situation, adding: “We mustn’t get ahead of ourselves but we must have a robust response and it’s something that we’ll be discussing with our Nato partners and with the forthcoming summit in Brussels in July.
“Some big questions arise as to how do you stand up to a clandestine and sinister attack deliberately done to play havoc in our society?”
Mrs Rudd had earlier visited Salisbury and the hospital where DS Bailey is receiving treatment.
Lord Blair, a former Met Commissioner, suggested on the BBC’s Today programme the seriously ill detective had visited Mr Skripal’s home.
He said: “There obviously are some indications the officer, and I’m very sorry that he has been injured, has actually been to the house, whereas there was a doctor who looked after the patients in the open who hasn’t been affected at all.
“So there may be some clues floating around in here.”
Police said 21 people had been seen for medical treatment since the incident.
The figure includes members of the public and emergency staff, some of whom have had blood tests as well as receiving support and advice.
The attack is being treated as attempted murder.