Nick Bailey "still fighting" for part of his Wiltshire Police pension
The former Detective Sergeant medically retired from the force in October after being poisoned by Novichok
Last updated 9th Dec 2020
Nick Bailey is "still fighting for part of his pension" after leaving Wiltshire Police earlier this year.
His wife, Sarah, responded to comments on twitter after the Wiltshire Police Federation Chairman, Mark Andrews, said that they had helped Nick "get the compensation package he deserved and supported him with insurance".
Sarah tweeted to say:
"Not quite sure where to start with this. Compensation package? injury on duty pay out? Nick retired 7 weeks ago and he's still fighting for part of his pension. You even said he resigned. Not the case at all, he’s been medically retired!"
DS Bailey was the first person to enter Sergei and Yulia Skripal's house after the Novichok poisoning in March 2018.
He became critically ill and after many attempts to try and return to the force, he announced that he had medically retired in October this year.
In a statement, Mr Andrews said:
"What happened to Nick is unprecedented and I hope will never happen to any other police officer or any other British citizen again.
I can only hope that one day the offenders will be brought to justice and Nick will be able to rest knowing that.
Wiltshire Police Federation has supported Nick and his family since this terrible incident and our door is always open to help him in the future.''
The force have told Greatest Hits Radio that the issue in terms of the pension is a matter for the provider and not for Wiltshire Police.
A spokesperson told us:
"Since Nick Bailey found himself at the centre of the Novichok international incident, Wiltshire Police have worked with him and his family to provide continuing support to help them deal with the impact of this terrible incident and assist him to try and return to active police duties. It was with great sadness that regrettably this was not possible and Nick left the Force in Oct 2020 with our very best wishes for the future.
It would be wholly inappropriate for us to further comment publicly on private matters relating to a former police officer."
UPDATE
Sarah Bailey has since tweeted again to clarify some of her comments, praising Wiltshire Police and the national Police Federation Chair for their support.
She's also said the 'medical retirement process' from the force 'needs addressing'.