Nerve Agent Poisonings, Moscow's Involvement and British Reaction: Central Issues of the Investigation
The poisoning incident involving Novichok in the city of Salisbury in south-west England during the spring of 2018 was an extraordinary event that sent shock waves across the world. The intended victim, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, survived an brazen effort to kill him, but an bystander, Dawn Sturgess, lost her life. An public investigation was held last year, probing the attack on the Skripals, the response of emergency services, and the fatal sequence of events that led to Sturgess's death. Below are some of the key questions it explored.
Who Was Dawn Sturgess?
The victim, Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old mother of three. On 30 June 2018, she and her partner, Charlie Rowley, fell ill at his home in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Sturgess died on 8 July, while Rowley pulled through but has experienced ongoing health problems. Initially, police believed it was a case of drug poisoning. Within days, it became clear they had been poisoned with the chemical weapon Novichok. Sturgess sprayed herself with the novichok believing it was perfume. Rowley is believed to have discovered a vessel containing the agent disguised as a perfume bottle and presented it to Sturgess. The inquiry heard that Sturgess was an unintended casualty of an unlawful foreign plot to kill.
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 ultimately survived.
Why Were the Skripals Targeted?
The British authorities believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal. A suggested motive 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 continued to help intelligence services in the West after his supposed retirement from espionage. In the aftermath, the UK government expelled 23 Russian diplomats.
How Was the Attack on Skripal Take?
British investigators believe two Russian agents, using the names Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, smeared the nerve agent to the front-door handle of the Skripals’ house in the early afternoon on March 4. When the Skripals left soon after to go out, they both came into contact with it.
What Happened With the Container of Novichok Afterwards?
This remains a key unanswered question of the case. A theory is they may have used a small sealing device to reseal the container during a unaccounted-for period when they disappeared from surveillance cameras 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, investigators lean toward the idea he came upon it shortly after the attack. Detectives found video evidence appearing to show Rowley looking through rubbish in Salisbury on the fateful day. If that is correct, Rowley had the bottle for more than 90 days and even relocated while possessing 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 exceptional potency and could have killed thousands. A government scientist stated that a tiny quantity – comparable to a speck of salt – might have caused death. After the poisonings, 87 people self-presented at A&E worried about exposure. Three police officers were contaminated, including DS Nick Bailey. Emergency services disposed of two dozen vehicles they believed were tainted by the poison.
Should More Have Been 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, even basic CCTV.
Should 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 Skripal poisoning. The former top medical advisor, Dame Sally Davies, said she recalled “strong recollection” of advising the public not to pick up objects near the scene in March. However, there is no documentation of such a warning. A public warning was only given following the June incident.
What About the Performance of First Responders?
The assessment is mixed. There were many instances of great bravery by paramedics, firefighters and police officers. However, Wiltshire police has expressed regret for wrongly categorising 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 first responder told the inquiry that he accidentally gave Skripal atropine, a drug used for organophosphate poisoning, after a fortunate accident. This intervention potentially rescued Skripal’s life.
What Have the Russians Said?
The Russian embassy in the UK has claimed there are numerous unresolved issues around the poisoning. It points to claims that Skripal’s car was seen out on the morning of 4 March and that their phones were deactivated for four hours. It also doubts the absence of cameras around the Skripal house. British investigators have stated there have been a multitude of red herrings in the case.
