Nerve Agent Poisonings, Russia's Alleged Role and UK Response: Central Issues of the Investigation
The poisoning incident involving Novichok in the city of Salisbury in south-west England during March 2018 was an unprecedented incident that reverberated globally. The targeted man, former Russian agent the ex-spy Sergei Skripal, recovered from an audacious assassination attempt, but an innocent British citizen, a woman named Dawn Sturgess, lost her life. An public investigation was held last year, examining the poisoning of the Skripals, the response of emergency services, and the fatal sequence of events that led to Sturgess's death. 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. Initially, police thought it might be a case of drug poisoning. Soon after, it became apparent they were victims 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 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 March 4, 2018, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, were attacked with Novichok at his home in Salisbury, not far from 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 believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised the assassination attempt 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 intelligence services in the West after his supposed retirement from espionage. In the aftermath, the UK government expelled 23 Russian diplomats.
What Form Did the Attack on Skripal Take?
UK police believe two Russian agents, using the aliases Petrov and Boshirov, smeared the nerve agent to the exterior door handle of the Skripals’ house between noon and 12.15pm on March 4. When the former spy and his daughter left soon after to go out, they both touched the handle.
What Happened With the Novichok Bottle Afterwards?
This remains a central mystery of the case. A theory is they may have used a portable heat sealer to repackage the bottle during a unaccounted-for period 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 soon after the Skripal poisoning. Detectives found CCTV footage that seems to depict Rowley looking through rubbish in Salisbury on the fateful day. If that is correct, Rowley had the bottle for over three months and even relocated while possessing it. Yet, police have not been able to rule out the possibility of a second container, which remains missing.
The Lethality of the Novichok?
The inquiry was told it was of exceptional potency and had the potential for mass casualties. A expert witness 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 Detective Sergeant 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 the Russian state 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 After the Attack?
Again, 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 top medical advisor, Dame Sally Davies, claimed she had a “strong recollection” of warning people not to touch items near the scene in March. However, there is no record of such a warning. A alert was only given following the June incident.
What About the Performance of First Responders?
The record is varied. There were many instances of great bravery by paramedics, firefighters and police officers. However, local authorities has expressed regret for mistakenly labeling Sturgess as a drug user. Rowley had a history, but Sturgess did not.
Did Skripal Have Luck to Survive?
Absolutely. A paramedic told the inquiry that he inadvertently administered Skripal a specific antidote, a drug used for certain poisonings, 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 Skripal’s car was seen out on the morning of 4 March and that their mobiles were turned off for a period of time. It also questions the lack of CCTV around the Skripal house. UK police have stated there have been hundreds, if not thousands of false leads in the case.
