Nerve Agent Attacks, Russia's Alleged Role and UK Response: Central Issues of the Investigation
The Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury in the English countryside during March 2018 was an extraordinary event that created international shockwaves. The intended victim, former Russian agent the ex-spy Sergei Skripal, recovered from an audacious assassination attempt, but an innocent British citizen, Dawn Sturgess, tragically died. An public investigation was held last year, examining the poisoning of the Skripals, the response of emergency services, and the tragic circumstances that led to Sturgess's death. Below are several central issues it explored.
The Identity of 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 suffered ill health since. Initially, police thought it might be a drugs overdose. Within days, it became clear they had been poisoned with the nerve agent novichok. It is believed Sturgess applied with the substance 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 caught “in the crossfire” 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 attacked with Novichok at his home in Salisbury, seven miles south of Amesbury. Skripal had been living quietly in a suburb after a spy exchange. Both fell seriously ill but ultimately survived.
Why Were the Skripals Targeted?
The British authorities are convinced that Vladimir Putin authorised the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal. One theory offered is that Skripal harboured secret information about the Russian president’s “criminal embezzlement” involving revenue from the metals industry. There have also been suggestions that Skripal kept assisting western security agencies after his alleged retirement from espionage. In response to the attack, the UK government expelled 23 Russian diplomats.
What Form Did the Attack on Skripal Carried Out?
British investigators 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 March 4. When the former spy and his daughter left shortly afterwards to go out, they both came into contact with it.
What Did the Agents Do With the Novichok Bottle Afterwards?
This remains a key unanswered question of the case. One suggestion is they may have used a portable heat sealer to repackage the bottle during a “missing 33 minutes” when they vanished from Salisbury CCTV 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 found it soon after the Skripal poisoning. Detectives found video evidence that seems to depict Rowley searching bins in Salisbury on the day the Skripals fell ill. If that is correct, Rowley had the bottle for more than 90 days and even relocated while possessing it. Yet, police have not categorically dismissed 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 tiny quantity – as small as a sixth of a grain of salt – could have been fatal. After the poisonings, dozens of individuals went to hospital worried about contamination. Three police officers were affected, including Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. Emergency services disposed of two dozen vehicles they feared had come into contact with the poison.
Was Enough Done to Protect Sergei Skripal?
The victim's relatives argues no. They contend that he was a “clear and obvious” target for the Russian state but was provided with little protection 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 picking up containers that may have contained the poison were issued after the initial attack. The former chief medical officer for England, 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 warning. A public warning was only given after Sturgess was poisoned.
What About the Response of the Emergency Services?
The assessment is mixed. There were numerous acts of courage by paramedics, firefighters and police officers. However, Wiltshire police has apologised for mistakenly labeling Sturgess as a user of illegal drugs. Rowley was known to use drugs, but Sturgess did not.
Did Skripal Have Luck to Survive?
Absolutely. A paramedic told the inquiry that he accidentally gave Skripal atropine, a drug used for certain poisonings, after knocking over a drugs bag. This intervention may have saved 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 mobiles were turned off for a period of time. 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.
