Salisbury residents reflect on Novichok poisonings

Today finally sees the evidence sessions begin as part of the inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess, more than six years after the devastating attacks.

The 44-year-old died in 2018 having been poisoned by Novichok which was present on a discarded perfume bottle. 

It followed the attempted murder of Mr Skripal, his daughter Julia and ex-police officer Nick Bailey, who were poisoned in March that year.

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Rosemarie Chapell, shopping with her husband Howard, said: “I think they’ve taken their time with it.”

Howard and Rosemarie Chapell (Image: Spencer Mulholland Photography)

The 78-year-old continued: “Why have they [Russian intelligence officers Anatoliy Chepiga and Alexander Mishkin] not been prosecuted? They’ve got away with it; I heard something yesterday saying Russia don’t extradite.”

Lynn Menzies, 66, from Chilmark said: “All I know is from watching that drama documentary.

Lynn Menzies (Image: Spencer Mulholland Photography)

“It’s really difficult to say what Salisbury could’ve done – it could’ve happened anywhere. It all depends where he [Sergei] was and he was here. I’m not sure Salisbury could’ve done anything prevention wise.

READ MORE: Theresa May says justice 'unlikely' at Dawn Sturgess Inquiry

“Whether there was some concern because of her {Dawn Sturgess] background? The fact he found the perfume in a skip – but how can you stop people if they want to do that?

“I think it was well managed as far as you can – it was something completely unprecedented.”

Andy and Eva Dyson from Bishopdown were also passing through the market on Saturday.

Eva, 51, said: “I think it was well handled – even that poor officer was poisoned himself.

Andy and Eva Dyson (Image: Spencer Mulholland Photography) “The place they lived was cordoned off quickly – I was impressed.”

Andy, 52, told the Journal  how he passed the Maltings after leaving a show at either the Playhouse or City Hall, and found out what had happened.

“It was weird. Nothing ever happens in Salisbury,” he remembers.

Damian Johnson, 41, worked as a support worker near where police were operating during the attack. 

Damian Johnson (Image: Spencer Mulholland Photography) He said: “It was completely blocked off, I thought ‘what on earth?’. It’s one of those things you see on TV and you don’t expect to see it in our own town.”

The upcoming public inquiry will face the questions of how Ms Sturgess died and why, beginning at Salisbury Guildhall before relocating to London in the following weeks.

It comes after Ms Sturgess, 44, died after she was exposed to Novichok in Amesbury in July 2018, from a discarded perfume bottle containing the nerve agent that had been used in the attempted murders of Segei and Yulia Skripal. For more information, click here.