The Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury in the English countryside during the spring of 2018 was an unprecedented incident that sent shock waves across the world. The targeted man, former Russian agent the ex-spy Sergei Skripal, recovered from an brazen effort to kill him, but an bystander, Dawn Sturgess, tragically died. An official inquiry was held last year, probing the poisoning of the Skripals, the actions of first responders, and the tragic circumstances that led to Sturgess's death. Below are some of the key questions it explored.
The Identity of Dawn Sturgess?
Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old woman with three children. On 30 June 2018, she and her partner, Charlie Rowley, became sick at his residence in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Sturgess died on 8 July, while Rowley pulled through but has suffered ill health since. Initially, police believed it was a case of drug poisoning. Within days, it became clear they had been poisoned with the nerve agent novichok. It is believed Sturgess applied with the substance believing it was perfume. 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”.
Why Was a Vessel of Novichok Doing in the English Countryside?
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 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 UK government believe that Vladimir Putin approved the attack on Sergei Skripal. A suggested motive offered is that Skripal harboured secret information about the Russian president’s alleged financial crimes involving revenue from the metals industry. There have also been indications that Skripal kept assisting intelligence services in the West after his alleged retirement from espionage. In response to the attack, the UK government expelled 23 Russian diplomats.
How Was the Attack on Skripal Take?
British investigators believe two Russian agents, using the aliases Petrov and Boshirov, applied novichok to the front-door handle of the Skripals’ house in the early afternoon on 4 March. When the Skripals left shortly afterwards to go out, they both came into contact with it.
What Happened 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 repackage the bottle 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 soon after the Skripal poisoning. Detectives found CCTV footage that seems to depict Rowley searching bins in Salisbury on the fateful day. If that is correct, 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 very high purity and had the potential for mass casualties. A government scientist stated that a “minuscule” amount – as small as a sixth of a grain of salt – might have caused death. After the poisonings, 87 people self-presented at A&E worried about exposure. Several officers were contaminated, including DS Nick Bailey. Emergency services disposed of two dozen vehicles they believed were tainted by the poison.
Was Enough Done to Protect Sergei Skripal?
The victim's relatives argues no. They contend that he was a blatant target for Putin but was given insufficient security in Salisbury. Skripal is reportedly declined security measures, including simple surveillance.
Could More Have Been Done to Protect the Public Following the Incident?
Again, Sturgess’s family holds this view. No official alerts 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. However, there is no documentation of such a statement. A public warning was only given after Sturgess was poisoned.
What About the Performance of First Responders?
The assessment is mixed. There were numerous acts of courage by emergency personnel. However, Wiltshire police has expressed regret for mistakenly labeling Sturgess as a drug user. Rowley had a history, but Sturgess did not.
Was Skripal Lucky to Survive?
Absolutely. A first responder told the inquiry that he accidentally gave Skripal atropine, a drug used for certain poisonings, after a fortunate accident. This intervention potentially rescued Skripal’s life.
The Russian Stance
The Moscow's diplomatic mission has claimed there are many “unanswered questions” around the poisoning. It highlights claims that the Skripals' vehicle was spotted out on the morning in question and that their phones were deactivated for four hours. It also questions the absence of cameras around the Skripal house. British investigators have stated there have been hundreds, if not thousands of false leads in the case.
