Novichok Inquiry: Revelations from the Public Hearings

Dawn Sturgess inadvertently sprayed herself with what she thought was perfume in June 2018, becoming an unintended victim in what was described as “the crossfire of an illegal and outrageous assassination attempt.” The bottle contained the nerve agent Novichok, which counter-terrorism police suspect was discarded by Russian agents in Salisbury, who are believed to have been targeting a former spy. A public inquiry commenced in October, with the mandate to determine the circumstances of her death, assign responsibility, and identify necessary lessons. This article summarizes some of the disclosures made during the past six weeks of public testimony, which included statements from medical personnel, law enforcement, scientists from Porton Down, and counter-terrorism officers. The inquiry is scheduled to conduct further sessions in private, involving security services, before its final report is released in late 2025. On March 4, 2018, Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were discovered unconscious on a bench in Salisbury city centre. The inquiry was informed that off-duty medical professionals were the first to assist them, and initial emergency responders suspected a fentanyl overdose. During efforts to stabilize their vital signs, a paramedic inadvertently administered an incorrect medication, which, paradoxically, may have contributed to Mr. Skripal’s survival once the true nature of the poisoning was identified. Scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down confirmed the presence of a nerve