The Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury in south-west England during the spring of 2018 was an unprecedented incident that reverberated globally. The targeted man, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, recovered from an audacious assassination attempt, but an innocent British citizen, Dawn Sturgess, lost her life. An public investigation was conducted last year, examining the poisoning of the Skripals, the actions of first responders, and the tragic circumstances that ensnared Sturgess. Below are some of the key questions it explored.
The Identity of Dawn Sturgess?
Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old mother of three. On June 30, 2018, she and her boyfriend, Charlie Rowley, fell ill at his home in a Wiltshire town called Amesbury. Tragically, Sturgess passed away on July 8, while Rowley survived but has experienced ongoing health problems. Initially, police thought it might be a drugs overdose. Within days, it became apparent they were victims with the nerve agent novichok. It is believed Sturgess applied with the novichok thinking it was a fragrance. Rowley is thought to have found a container of novichok disguised as a perfume bottle and presented it to Sturgess. The inquiry heard that Sturgess was an unintended casualty of an unlawful foreign plot to kill.
What Was a Container of Novichok Doing in South-West England?
On 4 March 2018, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, were poisoned by novichok at his home in Salisbury, not far from Amesbury. Skripal had been living quietly in a suburb after a prisoner swap. Both fell seriously ill but ultimately survived.
What Was the Motive for Targeting the Skripals?
The British authorities are convinced that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal. One theory offered is that Skripal possessed sensitive knowledge about the Russian president’s alleged financial crimes involving profits from metals production. There have also been indications that Skripal continued to help western security agencies after his supposed retirement from espionage. In response to the attack, the UK government expelled 23 Russian diplomats.
How Was the Attack on Skripal Carried Out?
UK police believe two Russian agents, using the aliases Petrov and Boshirov, smeared the nerve agent to the front-door handle of the Skripals’ house between noon and 12.15pm on 4 March. When the Skripals left soon after to go out, they both touched the handle.
What Happened With the Container of Novichok Afterwards?
This remains a central mystery of the case. One suggestion is they may have used a small sealing device to repackage the bottle during a unaccounted-for period when they disappeared from surveillance cameras and left it in a bin. Rowley stated he thought he found the bottle in June, a few days before giving it to Sturgess. However, investigators lean toward the idea he came upon it shortly after the attack. Detectives found video evidence that seems to depict Rowley looking through rubbish in Salisbury on the fateful day. If this is accurate, Rowley had the bottle for over three months and even moved home with it. Yet, police have not been able to rule out the possibility of a another vessel, which has never been found.
How Dangerous Was the Novichok?
The inquiry was told it was of exceptional potency and had the potential for mass casualties. A expert witness stated that a tiny quantity – comparable to a speck of salt – could have been fatal. After the poisonings, dozens of individuals went to hospital worried about exposure. Several officers were contaminated, including Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. Emergency services scrapped 24 vehicles they feared had come into contact with the poison.
Was Enough Done to Protect Sergei Skripal?
Sturgess’s family argues no. They assert that he was a “clear and obvious” target for Putin but was given insufficient security in Salisbury. Skripal is said to have refused security measures, including simple surveillance.
Should More Have Been Done to Protect the Public Following the Incident?
Again, Sturgess’s family believes so. No official alerts about picking up containers that may have contained nerve agent were issued after the Skripal poisoning. The former top medical advisor, Dame Sally Davies, said she recalled “strong recollection” of advising the public not to pick up objects near the scene in March 2018. However, there is no record of such a warning. A public warning was only given after Sturgess was poisoned.
What About the Performance of First Responders?
The record is varied. There were many instances of great bravery by paramedics, firefighters and police officers. However, local authorities has apologised for wrongly categorising Sturgess as a drug user. Rowley had a history, but Sturgess did not.
Was Skripal Lucky to Survive?
Absolutely. A paramedic told the inquiry that he inadvertently administered Skripal atropine, a drug used for organophosphate poisoning, after a fortunate accident. This intervention may have saved Skripal’s life.
The Russian Stance
The Russian embassy in the UK has claimed there are many “unanswered questions” around the poisoning. It highlights claims that Skripal’s car was seen out on the morning of 4 March and that their phones were deactivated for four hours. It also doubts the lack of CCTV around the Skripal house. British investigators have stated there have been a multitude of false leads in the case.
