A public inquiry into the tragic 2018 death of a British woman, Dawn Sturgess, who was poisoned by a Soviet-developed nerve agent, has uncovered shocking revelations. The lead counsel for the inquiry disclosed that the vial Sturgess unwittingly opened contained enough poison to kill thousands of people.
Sturgess and her partner fell ill after coming into contact with a discarded perfume bottle containing the deadly nerve agent Novichok in the town of Amesbury, England. Despite spraying the contents on her wrist, Sturgess tragically passed away a few days later, while her partner survived the ordeal.
The inquiry's lead counsel emphasized that the bottle, which was found to contain a lethal amount of poison, had been left in a public place, posing a significant risk of discovery by unsuspecting individuals. This incident occurred just four months after a similar Novichok poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, a nearby city.
While the British government has pointed fingers at Russian intelligence for the attacks, Moscow has vehemently denied any involvement. Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Skripal as inconsequential to the Kremlin, labeling him a 'scumbag' due to his past as a double agent for the UK.
Notably, the Skripals will not be testifying during the inquiry due to concerns for their safety. Heather Hallett, the coroner who oversaw the 2018 inquest into Sturgess' death, stressed the necessity of a public inquiry to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman's tragic demise.
Unlike standard inquests, public inquiries have the authority to delve into sensitive intelligence information, providing a comprehensive examination of the events leading to Sturgess' poisoning. The inquiry aims to shed light on the chain of events that led to the fatal exposure to the deadly nerve agent.
This development underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future. The public inquiry serves as a crucial step towards uncovering the truth behind Sturgess' untimely death and ensuring accountability for those responsible.
