Novichok Attacks, Russia's Alleged Role and British Reaction: Central Issues of the Inquiry

The poisoning incident involving Novichok in Salisbury in the English countryside during March 2018 was an unprecedented incident that sent shock waves across the world. The targeted man, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, survived an audacious assassination attempt, but an innocent British citizen, a woman named Dawn Sturgess, tragically died. An public investigation was conducted last year, probing the attack on the Skripals, the actions of first responders, and the fatal sequence of events that led to Sturgess's death. Below are several central issues it delved into.

The Identity of Dawn Sturgess?

Dawn Sturgess was a 44-year-old mother of three. On 30 June 2018, she and her partner, Charlie Rowley, fell ill at his home in a Wiltshire town called Amesbury. Tragically, Sturgess passed away on July 8, while Rowley pulled through but has experienced ongoing health problems. At first, 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 substance thinking it was a fragrance. 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 an unintended casualty 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, seven miles south of Amesbury. Skripal had been living quietly in a suburb after a spy exchange. Both became gravely sick but managed to survive.

What Was the Motive for Targeting the Skripals?

The British authorities are convinced that Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the attack on Sergei Skripal. A suggested motive 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 continued to help intelligence services in the West after his supposed retirement from espionage. In response to the attack, the UK government expelled 23 Russian diplomats.

What Form Did the Attack on Skripal Take?

British investigators believe a pair of operatives, 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 former spy and his daughter left shortly afterwards to go out, they both came into contact with it.

What Happened 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 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 came upon it soon after the Skripal poisoning. Detectives found video evidence that seems to depict 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 moved home with it. Yet, police have not been able to rule out the possibility of a second container, which has never been found.

How Dangerous Was 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 tiny quantity – comparable to a speck of salt – could have been fatal. After the poisonings, 87 people went to hospital worried about exposure. 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?

Sturgess’s family argues no. They assert that he was a blatant target for Putin but was provided with little protection in Salisbury. Skripal is reportedly declined security measures, including simple surveillance.

Could 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 Skripal poisoning. The former top medical advisor, Dame Sally Davies, claimed she had a “strong recollection” of advising the public not to touch items near the scene in March 2018. However, there is no documentation of such a warning. A public warning was only given after Sturgess was poisoned.

What About the Performance of First Responders?

The record is varied. There were numerous acts of courage by emergency personnel. However, local authorities has expressed regret for mistakenly labeling Sturgess as a user of illegal drugs. Rowley had a history, but Sturgess was not.

Did Skripal Have Luck to Survive?

Absolutely. A first responder told the inquiry that he accidentally gave Skripal a specific antidote, a drug used for organophosphate poisoning, after knocking over a drugs bag. This intervention potentially rescued Skripal’s life.

The Russian Stance

The Moscow's diplomatic mission has claimed there are numerous unresolved issues 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 lack of CCTV around the Skripal house. British investigators have stated there have been a multitude of false leads in the case.