Inquiry Hears Ex-Spy Skripal Lacked Security, Was ‘Sitting Duck’

The Dawn Sturgess inquiry heard that former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were “sitting ducks” due to insufficient home security. They were poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok, which was applied to the front door of their Salisbury residence, months before Ms Sturgess’s death from exposure to the same substance. During his closing statements in the public segment of the inquiry into Ms Sturgess’s death, Michael Mansfield stated that the Russian state possessed “alarming access” to Mr Skripal’s whereabouts. He further alleged that the UK government demonstrated an “abject failure” in its duty to ensure public safety. Mr Mansfield asserted that the attempted assassinations of Sergei and Yulia Skripal could have been “preventable.” He noted that Mr Skripal’s home lacked security measures and that he used his landline telephone to discuss his movements. “The movements of the Skripals plus the accessibility of the premises – they’re sitting ducks,” he stated. He added, “This should have been foreseen by those responsible for their protection and the public’s protection.” The inquiry was informed that the Skripals were targeted by Russian agents in a plot believed to have been authorized by President Vladimir Putin. Ms Sturgess, aged 44, passed away in 2018 following her exposure to the nerve agent, which had been contained within a discarded perfume bottle. Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, whom the inquiry identified as Russian military intelligence officers (GRU), have previously denied any involvement. On Monday, Adam Straw KC, a member of the legal team representing Ms Sturgess’s family, informed the inquiry that the disposal of the Novichok constituted an “extremely dangerous act” that was “brought about” by Russian officials, including Putin. Mr Straw further characterized the act as an “unlawful killing.” He stated, “One person did in fact die, several were seriously ill and a total of 87 members of the public presented to the hospital emergency department as a result of the Novichok.” Mr Mansfield informed the inquiry: “We say, in this instance, there has been an abject failure by the United Kingdom Government to protect the United Kingdom public.” Jesse Nicholls, also representing Ms Sturgess’s family, stated that the response by Wiltshire Police to the attacks was “severely inadequate.” He commented, “Aspects of the response failed the family badly – causing them significant pain and leaving lasting damage.” He added, “The family feel equally strongly that these failures should be recognised.” Mr Nicholls further stated: “The family have listened to the evidence and they consider that the police response was blighted by arrogance, stereotyping and a lack of professionalism.” “Multiple Wiltshire Police officers dismissed the clear and correct assessment from qualified paramedics who identified that [Ms Sturgess’ boyfriend] Charlie was suffering from nerve agent poisoning,” he noted. He continued, “In acting in that way, they put other first responders and the public at grave risk – and their actions could have cost Dawn and Charlie their lives.” “Officers’ failings were then compounded by a serious failure to provide Dawn’s doctors with accurate information,” he added. He concluded, “The police response has caused unjustified and lasting damage to Dawn, her reputation, and to her family.” Concluding the public phase of the inquiry, Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper reiterated the force’s “collective condolences” to Dawn Sturgess’s family and friends. In a statement, she added, “Today, her family have clearly set out their disappointments with the initial police response to Dawn and Charlie falling unwell.” “In particular, the family raised their concerns about Dawn wrongly being described in police documents as a known drug user,” she noted. She affirmed, “This should never have happened.” “It is crucial, in terms of constantly improving the service our communities receive, that we ensure we are actively learning from each incident we attend,” she stated. She mentioned that throughout the hearing concerning Ms Sturgess’s death, the police had “captured every opportunity” to learn lessons. She further added, “It is crucial that we remain open to constantly developing our approach to those incidents which pose the most significant threats to the safety of the public.”