Family blames UK government for failed security in novichok poisoning case

In June 2018, Dawn Sturgess fell critically ill in Amesbury, Wiltshire, after coming into contact with a nerve agent known as novichok, which was contained in a fake perfume bottle. This poisoning incident was linked to the earlier attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, which occurred in March 2018. Following the tragic death of Sturgess, her family’s legal representation outlined in public hearings how their loved one was placed at unnecessary risk due to the apparent negligence of UK authorities. They argued that the government failed to implement essential security measures to protect Skripal, a known target, resulting in collateral damage to the public, especially highlighted in Sturgess's case. During the legal proceedings, the Sturgess family’s barristers criticized Wiltshire police for their inadequate response and the stereotype that portrayed Sturgess as a drug user, which was inaccurate. The family’s legal team suggested that warnings should have been issued after Skripal's poisoning, advising the public against picking up suspicious containers that might have contained the deadly nerve agent. Their sentiments also echoed a broader concern about the lack of preventive measures and oversight from the authorities, particularly regarding Skripal's safety given his history and previous intelligence collaborations. The hearings led to an outcry regarding public health experts who failed to alert the community, and Sturgess’s family expressed feelings of anger and disappointment at the government’s actions—or lack thereof. They pointed out that the