Nerve Agent Poisonings, Moscow's Involvement and UK Response: Key Questions of the Investigation
The poisoning incident involving Novichok in Salisbury in the English countryside during the spring of 2018 was an extraordinary event that sent shock waves across the world. The intended victim, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, recovered from an brazen effort to kill him, but an bystander, Dawn Sturgess, tragically died. An official inquiry was conducted last year, examining the poisoning of the Skripals, the actions of first responders, and the fatal sequence of events that ensnared Sturgess. Below are some of the key questions it explored.
Who Was Dawn Sturgess?
Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old woman with three children. 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 survived but has experienced ongoing health problems. Initially, police believed it was a case of drug poisoning. Within days, it became apparent they were victims with the chemical weapon Novichok. Sturgess sprayed herself with the novichok thinking it was a fragrance. Rowley is believed to have discovered a vessel containing the agent disguised as a perfume bottle and given it to his partner. The inquiry heard that Sturgess was caught “in the crossfire” of an unlawful foreign plot to kill.
What Was a Container of Novichok Doing in South-West England?
On March 4, 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.
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 possessed sensitive knowledge about the Russian president’s “criminal embezzlement” involving profits from metals production. 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?
UK police believe a pair of operatives, using the names Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, applied novichok to the exterior 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 Did the Agents Do With the Container of Novichok Afterwards?
This remains a central mystery of the case. One suggestion is they may have used a small sealing device to reseal the container during a “missing 33 minutes” 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, police think it more likely he came upon it soon after the Skripal poisoning. Detectives found CCTV footage that seems to depict Rowley searching bins 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 another vessel, which has never been found.
The Lethality of the Novichok?
The inquiry was told it was of very high purity and had the potential for mass casualties. A expert witness stated that a “minuscule” amount – 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 affected, including Detective Sergeant 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?
Sturgess’s family believes so. They assert that he was a “clear and obvious” target for Putin but was provided with little protection in Salisbury. Skripal is reportedly declined security measures, even basic CCTV.
Should More Have Been Done to Protect the Public Following the Incident?
Similarly, Sturgess’s family believes so. No official alerts 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 clear memory of warning people not to pick up objects near the scene in March 2018. However, there is no record 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 numerous acts of courage by paramedics, firefighters and police officers. However, local authorities has apologised for mistakenly labeling Sturgess as a drug user. Rowley had a history, but Sturgess was 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 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 in question 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.
