Nerve Agent Attacks, Moscow's Involvement and UK Response: Key Questions of the Inquiry
The poisoning incident involving Novichok in Salisbury in south-west England during March 2018 was an unprecedented incident that sent shock waves across the world. The intended victim, former Russian agent 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 conducted last year, probing the poisoning of the Skripals, the actions of first responders, and the fatal sequence of events that ensnared Sturgess. Below are several central issues it explored.
Who Was Dawn Sturgess?
Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old mother of three. On June 30, 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. At first, police believed it was a drugs overdose. Soon after, it became apparent they were victims with the chemical weapon Novichok. Sturgess sprayed herself with the novichok believing it was perfume. Rowley is believed to have discovered a container of novichok made to look like perfume and presented it to Sturgess. The inquiry heard that Sturgess was caught âin the crossfireâ of an âillegal and outrageous international assassination attemptâ.
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 poisoned by novichok at his home in Salisbury, not far from Amesbury. Skripal had been settled in a suburban cul-de-sac after a prisoner swap. Both became gravely sick but ultimately survived.
Why Were the Skripals Targeted?
The British authorities believe that Vladimir Putin approved the attack on Sergei Skripal. A suggested motive offered is that Skripal possessed sensitive knowledge about the Russian presidentâs âcriminal embezzlementâ involving profits from metals production. There have also been indications 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.
How Was the Attack on Skripal Carried Out?
UK police believe two Russian agents, using the names Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, smeared the nerve agent to the front-door handle of the Skripalsâ house between noon and 12.15pm on March 4. When the former spy and his daughter left shortly afterwards to go out, they both touched the handle.
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 âmissing 33 minutesâ 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 shortly after the attack. Detectives found video evidence that seems to depict Rowley searching bins 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 second container, which remains missing.
How Dangerous Was the Novichok?
The inquiry was told it was of very high purity and could have killed thousands. A government scientist stated that a âminusculeâ amount â comparable to a speck of salt â could have been fatal. After the poisonings, 87 people self-presented at A&E worried about contamination. Several officers were contaminated, including Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. Emergency services scrapped 24 vehicles they believed were tainted by the poison.
Should More Have Been Done to Protect Sergei Skripal?
Sturgessâs family believes so. They contend that he was a âclear and obviousâ target for the Russian state but was provided with little protection in Salisbury. Skripal is said to have refused security measures, even basic CCTV.
Could More Have Been Done to Protect the Public Following the Incident?
Again, Sturgessâs family believes so. No public warnings about handling suspicious items that may have contained the poison were issued after the Skripal poisoning. The former chief medical officer for England, Dame Sally Davies, said she recalled clear memory of warning people not to touch items near the scene in March. However, there is no record of such a statement. A alert was only given following the June incident.
What About the Response of the Emergency Services?
The assessment is mixed. There were many instances of great bravery by emergency personnel. 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 a fortunate accident. This intervention may have saved Skripalâs 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 the Skripals' vehicle was spotted out on the morning in question 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 hundreds, if not thousands of false leads in the case.
