Novichok Poisonings, Russia's Alleged Role and British Reaction: Central Issues of the Investigation

The poisoning incident involving Novichok in Salisbury in the English countryside during the spring of 2018 was an unprecedented incident that created international shockwaves. The targeted man, former Russian agent the ex-spy Sergei Skripal, survived an brazen effort to kill him, but an innocent British citizen, a woman named Dawn Sturgess, tragically died. An public investigation was conducted last year, probing the poisoning of the Skripals, the response of emergency services, and the fatal sequence of events that ensnared Sturgess. Below are several central issues it delved into.

Who Was Dawn Sturgess?

Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old woman with three children. On 30 June 2018, she and her partner, Charlie Rowley, fell ill at his home in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Tragically, Sturgess passed away on July 8, while Rowley survived but has suffered ill health since. At first, police thought it might be 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 given it to his partner. The inquiry heard that Sturgess was an unintended casualty 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 spy exchange. Both became gravely sick but ultimately survived.

What Was the Motive for Targeting the Skripals?

The UK government are convinced that Vladimir Putin approved the attack on Sergei Skripal. A suggested motive offered is that Skripal harboured secret information about the Russian president’s alleged financial crimes involving profits from metals production. There have also been indications that Skripal kept assisting intelligence services in the West after his supposed retirement from espionage. In response to the attack, the UK government ordered out 23 Russian diplomats.

How Was the Attack on Skripal Take?

UK police believe two Russian agents, using the aliases Petrov and Boshirov, applied novichok to the front-door handle of the Skripals’ house in the early afternoon on 4 March. When the former spy and his daughter left soon after to go out, they both touched the handle.

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 portable heat sealer 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, police think it more likely he found it shortly after the attack. Detectives found CCTV footage appearing to show Rowley searching bins in Salisbury on the day the Skripals fell ill. 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 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 government scientist stated that a “minuscule” amount – as small as a sixth of a grain of salt – could have been fatal. After the poisonings, 87 people self-presented at A&E worried about exposure. Three police officers were contaminated, including Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. Emergency services scrapped 24 vehicles they feared had come into contact with 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 provided with little protection in Salisbury. Skripal is reportedly declined security measures, including simple surveillance.

Should More Have Been Done to Protect the Public After the Attack?

Similarly, Sturgess’s family holds this view. No public warnings about picking up containers that may have contained the poison were issued after the initial attack. The former top medical advisor, Dame Sally Davies, claimed she had a “strong recollection” of warning people not to pick up objects near the scene in March. However, there is no documentation of such a statement. A alert was only given after Sturgess was poisoned.

What About the Performance of First Responders?

The assessment is mixed. There were numerous acts of courage by emergency personnel. However, local authorities has apologised for wrongly categorising Sturgess as a user of illegal drugs. Rowley was known to use drugs, but Sturgess did not.

Was Skripal Lucky to Survive?

Without a doubt. A paramedic told the inquiry that he inadvertently administered Skripal atropine, a drug used for certain poisonings, after knocking over a drugs bag. This intervention may have saved 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 mobiles were turned off for a period of time. It also doubts the lack of CCTV around the Skripal house. British investigators have stated there have been hundreds, if not thousands of false leads in the case.