dawn sturgess inquiry report full statement
The family of Novichok victim Dawn Sturgess has released a statement following the final report of the investigation into her death.
The 44-year-old man died after being exposed to a nerve agent in Amesbury, Wiltshire, in 2018.
Here is the full statement read on behalf of Marcia Willis Stewart KC: Woman Sturgess’ family.
“Throughout this long process, our most sincere goal has always been to ensure that our daughter, mother, and sister Dawn does the right thing.
“Immediately following her death, Wiltshire Police incorrectly described Dawn as a drug user and the public were mistakenly led to believe that she had somehow contributed to her own death.
“As the evidence at the inquest acknowledges, this was a serious error by Wiltshire Police that should never have happened.
“Police misjudgment overshadowed the very real possibility that paramedics believed Dawn was suffering from nerve agent poisoning. The President concluded that this error had the potential to put other members of the public and emergency responders at risk. We, and most importantly Dawn, were vindicated today.”
“The investigation concluded that Dawn was a completely innocent victim killed by Novichok as a direct result of Russia’s cruel and cynical assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal.
“The inquiry’s report concludes that there were failures in the UK Government’s management and assessment of the risk posed by Russia to Sergei Skripal. Skripal was described as a traitor by Putin and convicted of treason. However, there was no adequate and orderly assessment of the risk he faced from Russian retaliation.”
“As we have always believed, this put the British public at risk and led to Dawn’s death.
“The President has considered confidential evidence from the Government and UK intelligence agencies. Today’s report does not publicly explain how the risks that led to Dawn’s death will be prevented in the future.”
“There was no adequate risk assessment against Skripal, but no protective steps were taken either. This is a serious concern for us now and for the future.”
“The inquiry’s report reveals that the public health response to the Salisbury attack was inadequate. Crucial training for emergency responders should have been distributed more widely and addressed the significant risk of nerve agent poisoning symptoms being missed.”
“After Dawn was killed, public advice was given: Don’t pick up items you haven’t dropped. We have always believed that this advice should have been given after the Salisbury attack, before Dawn was killed.
“The investigation found that this important advice was not properly and adequately taken into account before Dawn died.
“Today’s report leaves us with some answers but also many unanswered questions.
“We have always wanted to ensure that what happened to Dawn does not happen to others, that lessons must be learned and meaningful changes must be made. Today’s report does not include any recommendations.
“This is a really concerning issue. There needs to be reflection and real change, there has to be.”
“Today is the end of this public process. We are devastated by Dawn’s death. She is missed and always will be.
“The family will not accept any questions. We ask that our privacy be respected.”
