Nerve Agent Attacks, Moscow's Involvement and British Reaction: Key Questions of the Investigation
The poisoning incident involving Novichok in Salisbury in south-west England during March 2018 was an extraordinary event that created international shockwaves. The intended victim, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, survived an brazen effort to kill him, 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 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. Tragically, Sturgess passed away on July 8, while Rowley survived but has experienced ongoing health problems. At first, police believed it was a drugs overdose. Soon after, it became clear they had been poisoned with the nerve agent novichok. It is believed Sturgess applied with the novichok believing it was perfume. Rowley is believed to have discovered a vessel containing the agent made to look like perfume and presented it to Sturgess. The inquiry heard that Sturgess was caught “in the crossfire” of an “illegal and outrageous international assassination attempt”.
What Was a Container of Novichok Doing in the English Countryside?
On 4 March 2018, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, were attacked with Novichok at his home in Salisbury, seven miles south of Amesbury. Skripal had been living quietly in a suburb after a prisoner swap. Both became gravely sick but managed to survive.
Why Were the Skripals Targeted?
The British authorities believe that Vladimir Putin approved the attack on Sergei Skripal. One theory 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 the aftermath, 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 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 former spy and his daughter left shortly afterwards to go out, they both came into contact with it.
What Happened With the Novichok Bottle Afterwards?
This remains a central mystery 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 discarded it in a trash can. 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 found it soon after the Skripal poisoning. Detectives found CCTV footage that seems to depict 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 moved home with 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 “minuscule” amount – as small as a sixth of a grain of salt – might have caused death. After the poisonings, 87 people went to hospital worried about contamination. Three police officers were affected, 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?
Sturgess’s family argues no. They assert that he was a “clear and obvious” target for the Russian state but was given insufficient security in Salisbury. Skripal is reportedly declined security measures, even basic CCTV.
Should More Have Been Done to Protect the Public Following the Incident?
Similarly, 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 chief medical officer for England, Dame Sally Davies, said she recalled 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 alert was only given after Sturgess was poisoned.
Regarding the Response of the Emergency Services?
The assessment is mixed. There were many instances of great bravery by emergency personnel. However, Wiltshire police has expressed regret for wrongly categorising Sturgess as a drug user. Rowley was known to use drugs, but Sturgess was not.
Was Skripal Lucky to Survive?
Absolutely. A first responder told the inquiry that he accidentally gave Skripal a specific antidote, a drug used for organophosphate poisoning, after knocking over a drugs bag. This intervention may have saved Skripal’s life.
What Have the Russians Said?
The Russian embassy in the UK 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 doubts the lack of CCTV around the Skripal house. UK police have stated there have been a multitude of false leads in the case.
