Former Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey suing Wiltshire Police
His lawyers say they 'hope to come to a resolution very soon'
Last updated 12th May 2021
Nick Bailey is suing his former employers Wiltshire Police, more than three years on from being poisoned by Novichok.
The former Detective Sergeant (DS) was the first person to enter the home of Sergei Skripal, after the Russian Spy and his daughter were found contaminated by the nerve agent.
The Salisbury incident, which took place in March 2018, left Mr Bailey seriously ill.
Earlier this month, lawyers acting for the former officer lodged a case against Kier Pritchard, the Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police.
It's a Personal Injury claim, under the "injury at work" category.
'Trauma which had a devastating effect on his family'
Patrick Maguire, a partner at national law firm Horwich Cohen Coghlan, which is representing Mr Bailey, said:
"It has been a challenging three years for everyone affected by the events of March 2018.
"Our client experienced a trauma which had a devastating effect on his family and forced him to leave the job he loved after more than 18 years of loyal service.
"We hope to come to a resolution very soon with Wiltshire Police, so that Mr Bailey and his family can continue the process of healing and move forwards with their lives".
The case follows Mr Bailey's decision to leave the force in October last year. He had made three attempts to return to work.
However, the former DS said the traumatic incident meant he "couldn't deal with being in a police environment".
'I joined the Police because I wanted to do good things'
Talking to Greatest Hits Radio in April, Nick said he hit a low point last year:
"You get to a certain point where you realise you are not in a good place and you are suffering from depression. It kind of crept on me and tapped me on the shoulder.
"I joined the Police because I wanted to do good things and do right by good people and that's still ingrained in me, whether I'm in the Police or not.
"If I can do something good in this setting, by talking and sharing my story and sharing what I learned about myself to others ... then that's a good thing."
In December 2020, Nick's wife Sarah took to Twitter, claiming that the former Detective Sergeant was still fighting for part of his pension.
Wiltshire Police declined to comment for legal reasons.