Lady Hallett
(Picture: PA)A senior judge has publicly criticised the government for delaying the inquiry into the Novichok poisoning by Russian spies.
Lady Hallett was originally appointed to oversee the inquest into the death of Dawn Sturgess, but was chosen by the Prime Minister in December last year to head the upcoming Covid-19 public inquiry.
At the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday, the retired Court of Appeal judge said she has privately urged the government to swiftly find her successor on the Sturgess case, and to convert the investigation into the poisonings into a public inquiry.
“It is, I have to say, a disappointment to me to be sitting here today with no inquiry set up and no judge appointed to lead it”, she told the assembled hearing of lawyers and members of Ms Sturgess’ family.
Lady Hallett offered an apology for the “delay that is sadly now inevitable”, and referred to a letter from lawyers representing the Sturgess family “expressing a degree of frustration at the delay”.
“That’s a frustration I share”, she said.
Ms Sturgess is believed to have been poisoned with Novichok, a deadly nerve agent which was brought into the UK by Russian spies.
The intended target was Sergei Skripal, an opponent of Vladimir Putin’s regime, and he was left critically ill in hospital, with his daughter Yulia, but survived the attack.
Ms Sturgess is believed to have come into contact with the Novichok when it was found by her partner Charlie Rowley, who was also hospitalised but survived.
Lady Hallett, a cross-bench life peer, said she had been clear with the government that her appointment to oversee the Covid-19 inquiry should not delay the Sturgess inquiry.
Michael Mansfield QC, representing the Sturgess family, told the hearing there is a “poignancy in what is happening in Eastern Europe and the Ukraine at the moment”.
“In view of international happenings at the moment, we say there can’t be any further delays,” he said.
Ben Watson QC, representing the Home Office, said a “strategy team” are working on the appointment of a new judge and the conversion of the inquest.
It had been hoped Friday’s hearing would be the first day of the inquiry.
“The Secretary of State recognises the frustration over the absence of further information,” he said.
Assurances have been given that the new chair will be announced within the next two week, but Mr Watson was unable to offer further information on the work that has been happening.
“I hope this is something that can be pushed forward and prioritised”, said Lady Hallett.
