Nerve Agent Attacks, Moscow's Involvement and British Reaction: Key Questions of the Investigation
The poisoning incident involving Novichok in the city of Salisbury in south-west England during March 2018 was an extraordinary event that sent shock waves across the world. The intended victim, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, recovered from an audacious assassination attempt, but an bystander, Dawn Sturgess, lost her life. An official inquiry was held last year, examining the attack on 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 mother of three. On 30 June 2018, she and her boyfriend, Charlie Rowley, became sick at his residence in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Sturgess died on 8 July, while Rowley survived but has suffered ill health since. Initially, police believed it was a case of drug poisoning. Within days, it became clear they had been poisoned with the nerve agent novichok. Sturgess sprayed herself with the substance thinking it was a fragrance. Rowley is believed to have discovered a container of novichok made to look like perfume and given it to his partner. 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, seven miles south of Amesbury. Skripal had been settled in a suburban cul-de-sac after a spy exchange. Both fell seriously ill but managed to survive.
What Was the Motive for Targeting the Skripals?
The British authorities are convinced that Vladimir Putin approved the attack 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 supposed retirement from espionage. In the aftermath, the UK government ordered out 23 Russian diplomats.
How Was the Attack on Skripal Carried Out?
British investigators believe a pair of operatives, using the aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, smeared the nerve agent to the exterior door handle of the Skripals’ house in the early afternoon on March 4. When the former spy and his daughter 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 repackage the bottle during a unaccounted-for period 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, investigators lean toward the idea he found 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 over three months and even relocated while possessing it. Yet, police have not categorically dismissed the possibility of a second container, which has never been found.
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 tiny quantity – as small as a sixth of a grain of salt – could have been fatal. After the poisonings, 87 people went to hospital worried about contamination. Several officers were affected, including DS Nick Bailey. Emergency services scrapped 24 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, including simple surveillance.
Should More Have Been Done to Protect the Public Following the Incident?
Similarly, Sturgess’s family holds this view. No public warnings about picking up containers that may have contained the poison were issued after the Skripal poisoning. The former chief medical officer for England, Dame Sally Davies, claimed she had a “strong recollection” of advising the public not to touch items near the scene in March. However, there is no record of such a warning. A alert was only given after Sturgess was poisoned.
Regarding the Performance of First Responders?
The record is varied. There were many instances of great bravery by emergency personnel. However, local authorities has apologised for mistakenly labeling Sturgess as a drug user. Rowley was known to use drugs, but Sturgess did not.
Was Skripal Lucky 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 potentially rescued Skripal’s life.
What Have the Russians Said?
The Moscow's diplomatic mission 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 a period of time. It also doubts the absence of cameras around the Skripal house. British investigators have stated there have been a multitude of false leads in the case.
