MI5, MI6 and GCHQ looked into the "increased" and "unusual" movements at the embassy in Kensington, taking place in the run-up to the Novichok attack against former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. In the wake of the poisoning, which shook the city in Wiltshire to the core and strained the UK-Russia relationship, these observations were "deemed to be significant and of interest”, the source with knowledge of the investigation said.
The intelligence agencies have been investigating unusual and increased activity at the Russian embassy in Kensington in the days leading up to and after the attack on the Skripals
A security source
The source said: "The intelligence agencies have been investigating unusual and increased activity at the Russian embassy in Kensington in the days leading up to and after the attack on the Skripals."
The source said lines of inquiry included looking at movements, described as "frantic and unprecedented”, which were observed at the time, adding: "As would be expected, the UK security services have eyes on known and undeclared foreign intelligence operatives."
The Skripals first came into contact with the nerve agent when it was sprayed on the door handle of their home in Christie Miller Road, Salisbury, detectives believe.
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Salisbury
