Novichok Inquiry Hears Gove Meeting on Decontamination Described as ‘Car Crash’

A former chief medical officer characterized a meeting with Michael Gove as a “car crash” during discussions about decontamination policies, which took place days after the 2018 Novichok poisoning, an ongoing inquiry has been informed. Yulia and Sergei Skripal were targeted with the nerve agent Novichok in Salisbury. During the inquiry into the subsequent death of local resident Dawn Sturgess, Professor Dame Sally Davies recounted a “worrying” meeting. This meeting was presided over by then-Environment Secretary Mr Gove, who, according to Dame Sally, “clearly had not been briefed.” She stated, “If it was not so important it would be a farce.” Ms Sturgess passed away in July 2018 after coming into contact with the chemical weapon, which was contained in a discarded perfume bottle. An email exchange, presented to the inquiry into her death on Monday, originated from Dame Sally contacting then-Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood on 15 March, 2018, several days after the Skripals were poisoned. According to the email, during a meeting, Mr Gove “did not accept” the established principle that “while the national role for decontamination is to give guidance and check plans, it is for the local authority, in partnership with local actors and Defra to implement and deliver.” The email further stated, “He repeatedly said he wanted a new system where there was an accountable national leader for him doing it all.” Dame Sally subsequently stated that Mr Gove’s team “handled it really well, explaining about using the system developed over time, that has been tried and tested, that local people can see, feel and relate to.” She further indicated that Mr Gove “refused to accept” this, and the meeting “became a car crash,” adding, “if it was not so important it would be a farce.” His approach was “worrying,” she concluded. The email chain was subsequently forwarded by Sir Jeremy, who died in November 2018 after retiring on health grounds, to an individual whose name has been redacted, with Sir Jeremy adding: “A bit worrying…” Sir Jeremy also responded to an individual whose name is redacted, stating: “This man cannot be put in charge of anything…” The investigation remains ongoing.