The poisoning incident involving Novichok in the city of Salisbury in the English countryside during the spring of 2018 was an unprecedented incident that created international shockwaves. The targeted man, former Russian agent the ex-spy Sergei Skripal, survived an audacious assassination attempt, but an bystander, Dawn Sturgess, tragically died. An public investigation was conducted last year, probing the poisoning of the Skripals, the actions of first responders, and the tragic circumstances that ensnared Sturgess. Below are several central issues it explored.
Who Was Dawn Sturgess?
Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old mother of three. On 30 June 2018, she and her boyfriend, Charlie Rowley, fell ill at his home in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Sturgess died on 8 July, while Rowley pulled through but has suffered ill health since. At first, police thought it might be a case of drug poisoning. Within days, it became apparent they were victims with the chemical weapon Novichok. It is believed Sturgess applied with the substance thinking it was a fragrance. Rowley is believed to have discovered a container of novichok disguised as a perfume bottle and given it to his partner. The inquiry heard that Sturgess was an unintended casualty of an “illegal and outrageous international assassination attempt”.
What Was a Container of Novichok Doing in South-West England?
On March 4, 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 settled in a suburban cul-de-sac after a prisoner swap. Both became gravely sick but ultimately survived.
What Was the Motive for Targeting the Skripals?
The British authorities believe that Vladimir Putin approved the attack 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 suggestions that Skripal continued to help intelligence services in the West after his alleged retirement from espionage. In the aftermath, the UK government expelled 23 Russian diplomats.
How Was the Attack on Skripal Take?
British investigators believe two Russian agents, using the names Petrov and Boshirov, applied novichok to the front-door handle of the Skripals’ house in the early afternoon on March 4. When the former spy and his daughter left shortly afterwards to go out, they both touched the handle.
What Happened With the Container of Novichok Afterwards?
This remains a key unanswered question of the case. A theory is they may have used a portable heat sealer to reseal the container during a unaccounted-for period when they vanished from Salisbury CCTV and left it in a bin. Rowley said he believed he found the bottle in June, a few days before giving it to Sturgess. However, police think it more likely 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 that is correct, Rowley had the bottle for more than 90 days 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.
The Lethality of the Novichok?
The inquiry was told it was of very high purity and had the potential for mass casualties. A expert witness stated that a “minuscule” amount – comparable to a speck of salt – might have caused death. After the poisonings, 87 people went to hospital worried about exposure. Several officers were affected, including DS Nick Bailey. Emergency services disposed of two dozen vehicles they believed were tainted by the poison.
Should More Have Been Done to Protect Sergei Skripal?
The victim's relatives believes so. They assert that he was a “clear and obvious” target for Putin but was provided with little protection in Salisbury. Skripal is said to have refused security measures, even basic CCTV.
Should More Have Been Done to Protect the Public After the Attack?
Similarly, Sturgess’s family holds this view. No public warnings about handling suspicious items that may have contained nerve agent were issued after the Skripal poisoning. The former chief medical officer for England, Dame Sally Davies, said she recalled “strong recollection” of advising the public not to touch items near the scene in March 2018. However, there is no record of such a statement. A alert was only given after Sturgess was poisoned.
Regarding the Performance of First Responders?
The record is varied. There were many instances of great bravery by emergency personnel. However, local authorities has expressed regret for wrongly categorising Sturgess as a drug user. Rowley was known to use drugs, but Sturgess was not.
Did Skripal Have Luck to Survive?
Absolutely. A paramedic told the inquiry that he accidentally gave Skripal atropine, a drug used for organophosphate poisoning, after knocking over a drugs bag. This intervention may have saved Skripal’s life.
The Russian Stance
The Russian embassy in the UK has claimed there are numerous unresolved issues around the poisoning. It points to claims that the Skripals' vehicle was spotted out on the morning of 4 March and that their phones were deactivated for four hours. It also doubts the absence of cameras around the Skripal house. UK police have stated there have been a multitude of false leads in the case.
