Novichok Poisonings, 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 the spring of 2018 was an unprecedented incident 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 official inquiry was conducted last year, probing the poisoning of the Skripals, the response of emergency services, and the tragic circumstances that led to Sturgess's death. Below are some of the key questions it delved into.
Who Was Dawn Sturgess?
The victim, Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old mother of three. On June 30, 2018, she and her partner, Charlie Rowley, became sick at his residence in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Tragically, Sturgess passed away on July 8, while Rowley pulled through but has experienced ongoing health problems. Initially, police believed it was a case of drug poisoning. Soon after, it became clear they had been poisoned with the chemical weapon Novichok. It is believed Sturgess applied with the substance 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 an unintended casualty of an “illegal and outrageous international assassination attempt”.
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 attacked with Novichok at his home in Salisbury, seven miles south of Amesbury. Skripal had been living quietly in a suburb after a spy exchange. Both became gravely sick but ultimately survived.
Why Were the Skripals Targeted?
The British authorities are convinced that Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the attack on Sergei Skripal. One theory offered is that Skripal possessed sensitive knowledge about the Russian president’s alleged financial crimes involving revenue from the metals industry. There have also been indications that Skripal kept assisting intelligence services in the West 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 two Russian agents, using the names Petrov and Boshirov, smeared the nerve agent to the exterior door handle of the Skripals’ house between noon and 12.15pm on 4 March. When the Skripals left shortly afterwards to go out, they both touched the handle.
What Did the Agents Do With the Novichok Bottle 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 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 soon after the Skripal poisoning. Detectives found CCTV footage appearing to show Rowley searching bins in Salisbury on the day the Skripals fell ill. If this is accurate, Rowley had the bottle for more than 90 days and even moved home with it. Yet, police have not been able to rule out the possibility of a second container, which remains missing.
The Lethality of the Novichok?
The inquiry was told it was of very high purity and could have killed thousands. A government scientist stated that a tiny quantity – comparable to a speck of salt – could have been fatal. After the poisonings, dozens of individuals went to hospital worried about contamination. Three police officers were affected, including DS Nick Bailey. Emergency services scrapped 24 vehicles they believed were tainted by the poison.
Should More Have Been Done to Protect Sergei Skripal?
The victim's relatives argues no. They assert that he was a blatant target for Putin but was given insufficient security in Salisbury. Skripal is reportedly declined security measures, including simple surveillance.
Could More Have Been Done to Protect the Public After the Attack?
Again, Sturgess’s family believes so. No public warnings about picking up containers that may have contained nerve agent were issued after the Skripal poisoning. The former chief medical officer for England, Dame Sally Davies, said she recalled “strong recollection” of advising the public not to pick up objects near the scene in March 2018. However, there is no record of such a statement. A alert was only given after Sturgess was poisoned.
What About the Response of the Emergency Services?
The assessment is mixed. There were many instances of great bravery by emergency personnel. However, local authorities has expressed regret 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?
Absolutely. A paramedic told the inquiry that he inadvertently administered Skripal atropine, a drug used for organophosphate poisoning, after a fortunate accident. This intervention may have saved Skripal’s life.
The Russian Stance
The Russian embassy in the UK has claimed there are many “unanswered questions” around the poisoning. It highlights claims that the Skripals' vehicle was spotted 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 hundreds, if not thousands of red herrings in the case.