LONDON (Reuters) - Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is no longer in critical condition and his health is improving rapidly more than a month since he was poisoned with a nerve agent, the British hospital treating him said on Friday. Skripal, 66, a former colonel in Russian military intelligence who betrayed dozens of spies to Britain’s foreign spy service, and his daughter Yulia were found slumped unconscious on a public bench in the English city of Salisbury on 4 March. The Court of Protection in London also said it was not possible to say when or to what extent Sergei and Yulia Skripal may "regain capacity"

The positive update on Ms Skripal's condition came the day after police revealed she and her dad likely first came into contact with the Novichok at their front door. The hospital in Salisbury said it was providing the medical update in response to “intense media coverage yesterday.”

Russian state television reported that Yulia had phoned her cousin in Russia and told her that she and her father were both recovering and that she expected to leave hospital soon. In a separate telephone conversation allegedly recorded by her cousin Viktoria Skripal in Moscow, Yulia, when questioned about the health of her father, said: “Everything’s OK, he’s resting now, he’s sleeping. The poisoned daughter of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal said Thursday her "strength is growing daily," and that she is grateful for the interest shown in her case. It comes as it was revealed poisoned former spy, Sergei Skripal is "responding well to treatment, improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition", according to doctors at Salisbury District Hospital. “I am sure you appreciate that the entire episode is somewhat disorientating, and I hope that you’ll respect my privacy and that of my family during the period of my convalescence.”

The statement was released at the same time an unverified conversation between Yulia and her cousin, Victoria, was handed to Russia State TV, saying Sergei was "resting" and "sleeping" but that "nobody has got anything they won’t recover from". Russia has also asked to examine pets found in Sergei Skripal's home

The British government said two guinea pigs belonging to Sergei Skripal were found dead at his home, apparently of thirst, and his cat was put down after it was found in a "distressed" state.
Salisbury District Hospital says poisoned spy Sergei Skripal is no longer critically ill, responding well to treatment, and "improving rapidly". His daughter was previously revealed to have regained consciousness.