'Sergei said Putin would get him if he returned to Russia'

SERGEI Skripal's former neighbour has told how the ex-spy claimed that President Vladimir Putin would "get him" if he returned to Russia.

- Dave Higgens

Ross Cassidy, addressing the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry in London, said Mr Skripal and his family moved in next door in Salisbury, Wilts, in 2010 and they quickly became good friends.

The haulage contractor and exRoyal Navy sailor said they would discuss his time in Russia, including his armed forces service.

He was shown his statement which read: "Sergei...would sometimes tell us he was in the military, starting off in airborne troops and ended up that he was a diplomat.

Reprisals