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Public inquiry to publish findings on Russian Novichok poisonings
Athena StavrouThursday 04 December 2025 11:02 GMTComments
CloseRelated video: Bottle of perfume held enough Novichok to kill thousands, Sturgess death inquiry hears
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A public inquiry into the death of a woman poisoned by a Russian nerve agent is set to criticise MI5 for leaving Putin’s target as a “sitting duck”.
Dawn Sturgess, 44, died after being exposed to Novichok left in a discarded perfume bottle in Amesbury, Wiltshire, in July 2018.
The bottle contained chemical agent used in the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia and then police officer Nick Bailey, in nearby Salisbury in March that year.
The Times reports that a public inquiry into her death is expected to criticise MI5 for Ms Sturgess’ death, which is said to have been “preventable” if British authorities implemented proper security measures for Mr Skripal.
The former Russian GRU military intelligence agent was convicted in Russia in 2004 on charges of spying for Britain before being freed in a prisoner swap in 2010 and moving to the UK. He has previously said he believes Putin personally ordered the attack on him.
In closing submissions to the inquiry, Michael Mansfield KC, representing Ms Sturgess’s family, said the poisonings were a result of an “abject failure” by the government which gave Russian agents “alarming access” to Mr Skripal.
Key Points
- Dawn Sturgess inquiry set to publish findings
Dawn Sturgess inquiry set to publish findings
A public inquiry into the death of a woman who was poisoned by Russian nerve agent Novichok is set to be published today.
Dawn Sturgess, 44, died after being exposed to the chemical weapon which was left in a discarded perfume bottle in Amesbury, Wiltshire, in July 2018.
The then-home secretary Priti Patel ordered that the inquest into Ms Sturgess’s death be converted into a public inquiry in 2021.
The inquiry, which was chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Lord Hughes of Ombersley, held public hearings between October and December last year.
(Metropolitan Police)Athena Stavrou4 December 2025 11:02More about
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