The UK has rejected Sergei Skripal's niece's visa application to come and visit

BBC

Viktoria Skripal speaking to the BBC in Russia.

• Britain has rejected a visa application from the Viktoria Skripal, niece of Sergei Skripal.
• Sergei Skripal was poisoned with nerve agent in Salisbury, England in March.
• Skripal and his daughter Yulia's conditions are improving, and Yulia is now conscious and talking.

Britain's Home Office says it has rejected a visa application for the niece of a former Russian spy poisoned by a nerve agent in the southwestern city of Salisbury.

The authorities said in a statement Friday that Viktoria Skripal's visa application was denied on the grounds that it "did not comply with the immigration rules." It did not elaborate.

Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury on March 4 and have been in a British hospital ever since.

Britain has blamed Russia for the attack, which used Russian-developed nerve agent Novichok. Russia has denied any responsibility.

Viktoria told the AP she had been told to come to the British Embassy in Moscow on Friday afternoon but the embassy emailed her to say the appointment has been cancelled. Following the rejection, she told Sky News she believes that "the British must have something to hide."

Earlier on Friday, doctors caring for Sergei Skripal said that his condition is improving and is no longer in critical condition.

Yulia Skripal, meanwhile, has recently regained consciousness and issued a statement saying her strength is "growing daily."

"I woke up over a week ago now and am glad to say my strength is growing daily. I am grateful for the interest in me and for the many messages of goodwill that I have received.

"I have many people to thank for my recovery and would especially like to mention the people of Salisbury that came to my aid when my father and I were incapacitated. Further than that, I would like to thank the staff at Salisbury District Hospital for their care and professionalism," she said.