Chemical weapons expert arrested after police 'taken ill' at Devon home

Police called to the home of a chemical weapons expert in Devon had to be treated after feeling unwell, it has been reported.

Devon and Cornwall police said officers that attended an address in Bideford on Wednesday morning were treated by the Hazardous Area Response Team as the property was cordoned off. 

Specialist officers were called to examine a number of items seized from the house and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was deployed. 

A retired research scientist named by The Sun as Dr Chris Busby was held by police who had responded to concerns for the safety of a woman. Police sources confirmed a 73-year-old man had been detained under the explosives act. 

Mr Busby is a regular expert for Russian state sponsored channel RT and has previously claimed Britain may be behind the Salisbury poisoning. The arrest is not thought to be connected to the nerve-agent attack on Russian double-agent Sergei Skripal. 

Although Mr Busby's house was evacuated there was thought to be no risk to the wider public. A statement from Devon and Cornwall police said: 'Whilst at the address, some of our officer complained of feeling unwell and were immediately removed from the scene and a cordon put in place'.

The Telegraph understands the officers were overcome by the foul state of the house, which possibly contained poorly husbanded home maintenance products. It is thought likely the arrested man would be released shortly.