The Novichok nerve agent attack in the city of Salisbury in the English countryside during March 2018 was an unprecedented incident that sent shock waves across the world. The targeted man, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, survived an brazen effort to kill him, but an innocent British citizen, Dawn Sturgess, tragically died. An public investigation was held last year, probing the attack on the Skripals, the actions of first responders, and the fatal sequence of events that led to Sturgess's death. Below are several central issues it delved into.
Who Was Dawn Sturgess?
The victim, Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old woman with three children. On 30 June 2018, she and her partner, Charlie Rowley, fell ill at his home in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Sturgess died on 8 July, while Rowley survived but has suffered ill health since. At first, police thought it might be a drugs overdose. Within days, it became apparent they were victims with the chemical weapon Novichok. It is believed Sturgess applied with the novichok thinking it was a fragrance. Rowley is thought to have found a vessel containing the agent made to look like perfume and given it to his partner. The inquiry heard that Sturgess was an unintended casualty of an “illegal and outrageous international assassination attempt”.
Why Was a Vessel 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, seven miles south of Amesbury. Skripal had been settled in a suburban cul-de-sac after a prisoner swap. Both became gravely sick but managed to survive.
Why Were the Skripals Targeted?
The British authorities are convinced 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 revenue from the metals industry. There have also been suggestions that Skripal kept assisting western security agencies after his supposed retirement from espionage. In response to the attack, the UK government expelled 23 Russian diplomats.
What Form Did the Attack on Skripal Carried Out?
UK police believe two Russian agents, using the names Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, applied novichok to the front-door handle of the Skripals’ house in the early afternoon on 4 March. When the former spy and his daughter left soon after to go out, they both touched the handle.
What Did the Agents Do With the Novichok Bottle Afterwards?
This remains a key unanswered question of the case. A theory is they may have used a small sealing device to reseal the container during a “missing 33 minutes” 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, police think it more likely he found it shortly after the attack. Detectives found CCTV footage appearing to show Rowley looking through rubbish in Salisbury on the day the Skripals fell ill. If that is correct, Rowley had the bottle for over three months and even relocated while possessing it. Yet, police have not categorically dismissed the possibility of a another vessel, which remains missing.
How Dangerous Was the Novichok?
The inquiry was told it was of exceptional potency and could have killed thousands. A government scientist stated that a tiny quantity – as small as a sixth of a grain of salt – might have caused death. After the poisonings, dozens of individuals self-presented at A&E worried about exposure. Three police officers were affected, including Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. Emergency services scrapped 24 vehicles they believed were tainted by the poison.
Was Enough Done to Protect Sergei Skripal?
Sturgess’s family believes so. They contend that he was a blatant target for the Russian state 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?
Similarly, Sturgess’s family believes so. No public warnings about handling suspicious items that may have contained the poison were issued after the initial attack. The former top medical advisor, Dame Sally Davies, claimed she had a clear memory of advising the public not to touch items near the scene in March 2018. However, there is no documentation of such a warning. A public warning was only given after Sturgess was poisoned.
Regarding the Response of the Emergency Services?
The record is varied. There were numerous acts of courage by emergency personnel. However, Wiltshire police has apologised for mistakenly labeling Sturgess as a drug user. Rowley had a history, but Sturgess was not.
Was Skripal Lucky to Survive?
Without a doubt. A paramedic told the inquiry that he inadvertently administered Skripal atropine, a drug used for organophosphate poisoning, after knocking over a drugs bag. This intervention potentially rescued Skripal’s life.
What Have the Russians Said?
The Russian embassy in the UK has claimed there are numerous unresolved issues around the poisoning. It highlights claims that the Skripals' vehicle was spotted out on the morning in question and that their mobiles were turned off for a period of time. It also doubts the absence of cameras around the Skripal house. British investigators have stated there have been hundreds, if not thousands of red herrings in the case.
