Rowley describes where he found Novichok bottle in Salisbury

Lord Hughes of Ombersley ruled that Mr Rowley, Ms Sturgess' boyfriend, would not have to attend the inquiry for reasons including the fact it would be "a challenging and distressing experience".

However, his witness statement was read to the inquiry, which includes his recollection of finding the bottle of disguised Novichok. This statement was made on July 15, 2018.

His statement reads: "As best as I can remember it was likely I found the perfume bottle on one of two occasions.

"I believed I was on my own when I found the item, I think it was just in a street somewhere, either in Salisbury or Amesbury. I honestly cannot remember whereabouts it was, I recall picking up a package off the floor on my way to Boots, the chemist in Stonehenge Walk, Amesbury.

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"It may just have been on the street, but I cannot say exactly. It would have more than likely been in Amesbury but I don't recall talking anything back to the flat."

The statement continues: "I also recall picking up a package from the charity bins behind Cash Converters in Salisbury. A lot of time I go to a car park in Salisbury, behind Cash Converters and its a charity shop place. It's the far end near the pub.

The Novichok had been stored in a 'Premier Jour' perfume bottle (Image: Crown Copyright) "There is usually a couple of wheelie bins at the very end. It's the back end of the charity shop. There are bins down there and I find quite a lot of things in there.

"I may have picked something out of there. I just go every now and again. I don't go every day, but probably when I stay at Dawn's.

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"I may have picked up the perfume box from there the day before. I do not have a recollection of finding the perfume box, but its just a possibility."

The perfume box the Novichok was stored in (Image: Crown Copyright) His statement was updated in 2022, where he said that since his initial interviews, he is now "99 per cent certain" he found the perfume in Salisbury.

He said: "I know I initially said I thought I had found it in Amesbury, but I think it had fallen out of my pocket on that occasion and I picked it back up. I recall that I found it in Salisbury, I think in the car park on Brown Street in a charity bin by the pub. It was all I found on that occasion and I put it in my pocket.

"It stayed there a while until I took it back to Amesbury. This is my recollection which has returned over time. I do not feel it has been influenced by what I have read or heard elsewhere."

The inquiry continues.