The death of Dawn Sturgess in 2018, caused by exposure to the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, highlights a tragic consequence of international espionage and assassination attempts. This incident, inextricably linked to the prior attempted poisoning of Sergei Skripal, underscores the devastating impact of such actions on innocent civilians. The public inquiry into Sturgess’s death seeks to uncover the full truth of the events and address concerns surrounding the UK government’s response to the threat.

The Novichok Poisonings: Dawn Sturgess and Sergei Skripal

The Skripal Attack

The attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent, in March 2018, marked a significant escalation in geopolitical tensions. Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury, England, after being exposed to Novichok. The UK government quickly identified Russia as the highly likely perpetrator of the attack, citing evidence suggesting the involvement of two GRU (Russian intelligence agency) operatives using false passports. While Skripal and his daughter survived the attack after intensive medical treatment, the incident highlighted the danger posed by the use of nerve agents and the willingness of certain state actors to deploy them on foreign soil. This brazen act of state-sponsored violence prompted international outrage and led to a significant diplomatic fallout between the UK and Russia, resulting in mass expulsions of diplomats. The event showcased a concerning lack of respect for international norms and sovereignty. The long-term health consequences of Novichok poisoning for Skripal and his daughter, beyond their immediate recovery, remain uncertain.

Dawn Sturgess’s Unintentional Exposure

Four months after the Skripal attack, Dawn Sturgess, an innocent bystander, tragically fell victim to the same nerve agent. She came into contact with a discarded perfume bottle that had been contaminated with Novichok during the attack on the Skripals. Unaware of its lethal contents, Sturgess unknowingly sprayed herself with the deadly substance, leading to her untimely death. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of state-sponsored violence and the potential for innocent casualties. Her case, viewed as collateral damage of an international assassination attempt, underscores the profound ethical considerations of using such deadly weapons and the lack of accountability in international affairs. Sturgess’s death became a symbol of the wider failure of national security, and its chilling reminder has made it hard for families to find closure and reconciliation, given that justice was unlikely to be served.

The Investigation and Public Inquiry

The Inquiry’s Objectives

The public inquiry into Sturgess’s death aims to provide a thorough and transparent account of the events surrounding both poisonings, establishing timelines and clarifying the chain of events. A key objective is to ascertain whether appropriate measures were in place to protect the public from the potential consequences of such actions. The inquiry seeks to explore whether enough preventative measures and actions were taken by the UK government, aiming to clarify whether sufficient steps were taken to neutralize the contaminated objects that caused Sturgess’s death, to ensure such an event would never repeat again. The public hearings intend to reveal detailed information surrounding Dawn’s death to provide her family, friends, and the wider community a sense of resolution and closure. It further emphasizes the government’s responsibility to its citizens to understand and address such grave threats and incidents.

The Role of the Russian Government

Russia, in response to accusations surrounding its suspected involvement in both attacks, denies any participation. The Russian government portrays itself as a victim of geopolitical tensions. It has characterized the investigation as a political maneuver. The events significantly strained international relations. They created renewed calls for an assessment of the UK’s security protocols and whether these can ensure similar incidents from not recurring again. It is vital to note that these events occurred against a backdrop of increased geopolitical tensions and mistrust between the UK and Russia, largely due to historic claims of similar attempts at state-sponsored espionage and sabotage that have previously rocked both governments. It’s significant for this to be analyzed within this backdrop, to highlight the urgency to reform and review protocol measures, given the high-stakes political situation.

Aftermath and Long-Term Consequences

International Relations and Sanctions

The Salisbury incidents led to the largest expulsion of diplomats between the West and Russia in recent history. They prompted the West to implement sanctions against Russia. Yet the effect of these diplomatic actions seems to have lessened in the face of newer major diplomatic and military conflicts, such as the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Whilst these incidents highlighted the risk and danger posed by the use of nerve agents and weapons of mass destruction, the world has been grappling with the much bigger issue of ongoing global tensions. The focus has significantly drifted away from these isolated yet serious incidents, suggesting further need for reassessment and stronger, sustained efforts to secure and resolve incidents like this effectively, rather than relying solely on diplomatic expulsion and weak sanctions.

Legacy of the Poisonings

The death of Dawn Sturgess and the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal remain deeply troubling incidents. They illustrate the perilous risks that governments undertake when resorting to illegal tactics on foreign soil. The incidents serve as sobering reminders that seemingly unrelated events are, in fact, connected. It reveals the lasting legacy of state-sponsored violence—leaving emotional and psychological wounds across families and loved ones and wider society as a whole. It highlights that state-sponsored actions carry potentially devastating unintended consequences for innocent civilians. The long-term impacts extend beyond immediate casualties. The lingering distrust and heightened security concerns shaped the UK’s approach to counterterrorism and national security, for both physical threats, but also cybersecurity and the increasing need for government to deal with a modern globalized cyber security situation.

Take Away Points:

• Dawn Sturgess’s death tragically exemplifies the devastating collateral damage of state-sponsored assassination attempts.
• The Novichok poisonings exposed severe security vulnerabilities and the limits of international law in deterring such actions.
• The public inquiry serves as a crucial step towards transparency and accountability for such attacks.
• International cooperation is essential in addressing the threats posed by chemical weapons and state-sponsored violence.
• The lasting impact extends beyond the immediate casualties, raising broader questions of national and international security measures and responsiveness.