Nerve Agent Poisonings, Moscow's Involvement and UK Response: Central Issues of the Investigation
The poisoning incident involving Novichok in Salisbury in the English countryside during the spring of 2018 was an extraordinary event that reverberated globally. The intended victim, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, recovered from an audacious assassination attempt, but an innocent British citizen, a woman named Dawn Sturgess, tragically died. An official inquiry was conducted 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 some of the key questions it delved into.
The Identity of Dawn Sturgess?
Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old woman with three children. On June 30, 2018, she and her boyfriend, Charlie Rowley, fell ill at his home in a Wiltshire town called Amesbury. Sturgess died on 8 July, while Rowley pulled through but has suffered ill health since. At first, police believed it was a case of drug poisoning. Soon after, it became apparent they were victims with the chemical weapon Novichok. It is believed Sturgess applied with the substance thinking it was a fragrance. Rowley is thought to have found a container of novichok made to look like perfume and presented it to Sturgess. The inquiry heard that Sturgess was caught “in the crossfire” of an unlawful foreign plot to kill.
Why Was a Vessel of Novichok Doing in the English Countryside?
On 4 March 2018, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, were poisoned by novichok at his home in Salisbury, not far from Amesbury. Skripal had been living quietly in a suburb after a prisoner swap. Both fell seriously ill but ultimately survived.
Why Were the Skripals Targeted?
The UK government 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 “criminal embezzlement” involving revenue from the metals industry. There have also been suggestions that Skripal continued to help intelligence services in the West after his alleged retirement from espionage. In response to the attack, the UK government ordered out 23 Russian diplomats.
What Form Did the Attack on Skripal Take?
UK police believe a pair of operatives, using the aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, applied novichok to the front-door handle of the Skripals’ house between noon and 12.15pm on March 4. When the Skripals left soon after to go out, they both touched the handle.
What Did the Agents Do 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 reseal the container during a unaccounted-for period when they disappeared from surveillance cameras and discarded it in a trash can. 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 appearing to show Rowley searching bins in Salisbury on the day the Skripals fell ill. If this is accurate, 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 second container, which has never been found.
How Dangerous Was the Novichok?
The inquiry was told it was of exceptional potency and had the potential for mass casualties. 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, 87 people went to hospital worried about exposure. Several officers were affected, including DS 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 blatant target for Putin 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?
Again, Sturgess’s family holds this view. No public warnings about handling suspicious items that may have contained nerve agent were issued after the Skripal poisoning. The former top medical advisor, Dame Sally Davies, claimed she had a clear memory of advising the public not to pick up objects near the scene in March. However, there is no record of such a statement. A public warning was only given following the June incident.
What About the Response of the Emergency Services?
The assessment is mixed. There were numerous acts of courage by emergency personnel. However, local authorities has expressed regret for mistakenly labeling Sturgess as a drug user. Rowley had a history, but Sturgess did not.
Was Skripal Lucky to Survive?
Without a doubt. A first responder told the inquiry that he inadvertently administered Skripal atropine, a drug used for certain poisonings, after a fortunate accident. This intervention potentially rescued Skripal’s life.
What Have the Russians Said?
The Moscow's diplomatic mission has claimed there are many “unanswered questions” around the poisoning. It highlights claims that Skripal’s car was seen out on the morning in question and that their phones were deactivated for a period of time. It also questions 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.
