British citizens have been warned Russian agents are an “active threat” in the UK, after a public inquiry found Vladimir Putin ordered an assassination plot using nerve agent novichok in Salisbury.
The foreign secretary insisted the government “will not tolerate this brazen and despicable aggression on British soil”, as she confirmed sanctions on Russia’s GRU spy agency.
Dawn Sturgess died after being exposed to Russian nerve agent novichok, which was left in a discarded perfume bottle in Amesbury, Wiltshire, in July 2018.
It followed the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal, when he, his daughter Yulia and then-police officer Nick Bailey were poisoned in nearby Salisbury in March that year.
The Dawn Sturgess inquiry, published today, laid blame for the attack on President Putin, concluding that the attempted assassination of Mr Skripal was not "designed simply as revenge against him, but amounted to a public statement…that Russia will act decisively in what it regards as its own interests”.
The report also argued that the Kremlin would have accepted the “astonishingly reckless” attack would have been attributed to Russia.
Key Points
- Inquiry finds Putin ‘morally responsible’ for novichok poisoning of Dawn Sturgess
- Russian spy agency sanctioned in wake of inquiry
- Inquiry avoids major criticism of British state
- Dawn Sturgess' family express 'real concern' over lack of recommendations in report
- Has anyone been arrested for the poisonings?
Watch: Dawn Sturgess was 'innocent victim of cruel and cynical acts of others', says Lord Hughes
16:35 , Athena Stavrou'Huge amount of work' goes into keeping Britain safe, says Starmer
16:19 , Athena StavrouThe Government does “everything within our power” to keep Britons safe from Russian threats, Sir Keir Starmer said.
Asked whether he could guarantee another poisoning such as the one in 2018 could be prevented, the Prime Minister said: “We work with our allies on intelligence material all of the time to keep our countries safe.
“So whether it’s intelligence, whether it’s the operations that are carried out from places such as this, we do everything within our power, working with our key allies to keep ourselves safe and to keep our citizens safe from all threats, but particularly at the moment threats from Russia.”
Sir Keir said there was “a united front at home”.
“There’s a huge amount of work going into keeping our citizens safe and sound. And that operates at a number of different levels. And it’s very important that we acknowledge the work that’s done by our service personnel to keep us safe from the threat which is ever-present.”
UK must 'remain vigilant' against Russian threats
16:04 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has said the inquiry into Dawn Sturgess’s death shows the UK must “remain vigilant” to Russian threats.
Speaking at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, the Prime Minister told broadcasters: “I’ll start with Dawn Sturgess’s family and friends, because we must always remember the grief that that they have gone through, the pain they’ve gone through.
“But this report is clear: moral responsibility lies with Putin. And it’s further evidence of the shocking and reckless hostile activity on UK soil.
“So, it’s very important that we’re putting the most stringent sanctions on the GRU for the first time, but it also reinforces why we need to remain vigilant to the ever-prevalent threat that is there from Putin and from Russia.
“That’s not just in Ukraine, in this case, the report is clear it’s on our soil. And here I am at Lossiemouth, where we’ve been discussing with personnel the work that they are doing to keep us safe from Russian threats, particularly in our waters.”
How an international assassination attempt brought horror to the streets of a sleepy English city
15:39 , Athena StavrouAndy Gregory looks back on the shocking and tragic events that thrust the Wiltshire city into global headlines:
How an international assassination attempt brought horror to a sleepy English city
Sturgess family lawyer believes death was preventable
15:30 , Athena StavrouMichael Mansfield KC said Dawn Sturgess’ family believe her death was preventable.
Asked if the family feel Ms Sturgess’ death was preventable, he said: “Yeah. I mean, that was the issue. Yes, actually, they do think it was preventable because of the way in which this man was obviously a target.
“It may be that if somebody is determined to commit a crime, they’ll get round whatever you do. But I think in the context here, where, as far as we can see, nothing was done, and there’s no indication in this report, in the closed or open, that he’s answered the question, were there appropriate precautions?
“I think the family are right to say, ‘well, no precautions in a case like this, I think the public would want an answer to that question as well’, and it hasn’t been answered.”
Lack of recommendations in report risks more lives, family lawyer says
15:16 , Athena StavrouMichael Mansfield KC, representing Dawn Sturgess’ family, said the lack of recommendations in the final report is leaving a risk of more lives being lost.
Asked if the report leaves him and Ms Sturgess’ family in any way confident that this cannot happen again to another family, he said: “No, I don’t think we’re remotely confident. How can the family be confident when they haven’t been given the answers on the key questions about security?”
He added: “We’re saying on their behalf, don’t let this happen again. You can’t prevent it as a guarantee, but you can make more effort.”
Mr Mansfield said: “I think that they feel, with regard to this, that this part of it, that is the preventability and precautions for security, the report is not satisfactory.”
Asked if his position is the lack of recommendations in the report is leaving a real risk to more lives being lost, he replied “yes, it is, the lack of recommendations. And it must mean that he doesn’t think there are any to be made”.
Watch: Putin ‘morally responsible’ for Novichok poisoning of Dawn Sturgess, inquiry finds
15:05 , Athena StavrouConcerns there could have been more victims
14:51 , Athena StavrouDr Duncan Murray, chief medical officer of the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, said at the time the Skripals fell ill and then closely followed by Det Sgt Nick Bailey there were concerns there could have been many more victims.
“I wasn’t involved in those discussions, but I’m well aware that more senior levels within the organisation at the time and in local and national agencies that were involved in co-ordinating response that was certainly a concern,” he said.
“I’m not well-placed to comment on the details of what those discussions were and what the responses were, but that was certainly a fear at all levels of the organisation at the time.”
Report leaves family with 'number of unanswered questions'
14:15 , Athena StavrouMs Sturgess’s family said the inquiry’s report had left them with “a number of unanswered questions”.
Their statement continued: “Today’s report has left us with some answers, but also a number of unanswered questions.
“We have always wanted to ensure that what happened to Dawn will not happen to others; that lessons should be learned; and that meaningful changes should be made.
“The report today contains no recommendations. That is a matter of real concern.
“There should, there must, be reflection and real change.
“Today is the end of this public process. We remain devastated by Dawn’s death. She is missed and always will be.”
Theresa May: 'We are under constant threat from Russian espionage'
14:06 , Athena StavrouTheresa May, who was prime minister at the time of the attack, has responded to today’s inquiry report.
“I always believed that the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter was part of a more aggressive positioning by Russia that would have consequences further down the line,” she wrote on X.
“Four years later Putin invaded Ukraine, and we are under constant threat from Russian espionage.”
I always believed that the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter was part of a more aggressive positioning by Russia that would have consequences further down the line.
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) December 4, 2025
Four years later Putin invaded Ukraine, and we are under constant threat from Russian espionage.
Dawn Sturgess' family express 'real concern' over lack of recommendations in report
13:53 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The family of Dawn Sturgess has expressed "real concern" over the lack of recommendations in the inquiry into her death, saying the report has left them with a "number of unanswered questions".
In a statement, they said: "Today's report does not set out, publicly, how the risks that led to Dawn's death will be prevented in the future. Adequate risk assessment of Skripal was not done, but no protective steps were put in place. That is a serious concern, for us now, and for the future."
They added: "Today's report has left us with some answers but also a number of unanswered questions. We have always wanted to ensure that what happened to Dawn will not happen to others; that lessons should be learned; and that meaningful changes should be made.
"The report today contains no recommendations. That is a matter of real concern. There should, there must, be reflection sand real change."
Wiltshire Police apologise for mistakes in Sturgess case
13:51 , Athena StavrouWiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said the pain of Dawn Sturgess’s family “was compounded by mistakes made by Wiltshire Police”, following the publication of the probe’s final report.
She said: “Since Dawn’s death on July 8 2018, they have had to wait for answers as to how this tragedy unfolded. I cannot begin to imagine the pain of losing a daughter and not having a complete picture of how this happened.
“It is also important for me to acknowledge that, in part, this pain was compounded by mistakes made by Wiltshire Police. Dawn was wrongly described by Wiltshire Police as a known drug user – this was not correct and should never have happened. For this, I am truly sorry.
“Concerns were also raised during the inquiry with regards to how Wiltshire Police responded to the second Novichok incident. This included our officers’ interactions with other frontline responders.
“From the outset of the inquiry, we made it clear that Wiltshire Police was fully committed to learning any further lessons arising throughout this process. This is in addition to the learning already captured in a national review run by the College of Policing in 2020. During each day of the hearings, our teams captured every opportunity to inform future learning or development to improve our policing service.”
The force identified 21 areas for improvement which were tracked through the Force Organisational Learning Board chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith, and the force fully accepts all recommendations made by the chairman in the report, Ms Roper said.
Lack of risk assessment for Skripal 'led to Dawn's death', family said
13:49 , Athena StavrouThe family of Dawn Sturgess have said the lack of risk assessments done for Sergei Skripal’s security “put the public at risk”.
In a statement read out by their lawyer, the family said despite being convicted in Russia, there were were no sufficient and regular assessments of the risk Mr Skripal faced from Russian retaliation.
“As we have always believed that put the British public at risk and led to Dawn’s death,” the statement said.
“Today’s report does not set out publicly how the risks that led to Dawn’s death will be prevented in the future.”
It added that the lack of security is a “serious concern”.
Dawn Sturgess' family statement
13:42 , Athena StavrouDawn Sturgess' family are now having their statement read our by their lawyer.
They said Dawn was “vindicated” by the inquiry’s findings today.
Family statement expected imminently
13:33 , Athena StavrouWe are expecting a statement from the Sturgess family and their lawyers imminently.
They will be responding to the key points set out in the Dawn Sturgess inquiry, published today.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
How an international assassination attempt brought horror to the streets of a sleepy English city
13:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainTake a look at how this Wiltshire city was hit by tragic events that made global headlines:
How an international assassination attempt brought horror to a sleepy English city
Watch: Dawn Sturgess was 'innocent victim of cruel and cynical acts of others', says Lord Hughes
13:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainUK sets out new sanctions against Russia after novichok report
12:58 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe UK today announced new sanctions against Russia, including the entire GRU military intelligence agency, which was singled out in a UK public inquiry into the 2018 death of a woman poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok.
The government also summoned the Russian ambassador to demand a response to the inquiry's findings and over what it called Moscow's "ongoing campaign of hostile activity" against the country.
"Today's findings are a grave reminder of the Kremlin’s disregard for innocent lives," Sir Keir Starmer said in the government's statement.
The government also sanctioned three further GRU officers who it said were responsible for orchestrating hostile activity in Ukraine and across Europe, including plotting a terror attack on Ukrainian supermarkets targeting innocent civilians.
Lord Hughes: GRU agents 'must have been aware' others would touch poisoned door handle
12:50 , Maryam Zakir-HussainLord Hughes said he was "satisfied beyond reasonable doubt" that GRU agents "must have been aware" others would have touched the door handle of Sergei Skripal's front door which had been smeared with Novichok.
He said: "The assassination attempt itself was carried out by... Petrov and Boshirov.
"They travelled to Salisbury on Saturday 3 March and carried out reconnaissance of Sergei Skripal's house and area around it.
"They came back to Salisbury the next day, Sunday 4 March, and put Novichok on the handle of Sergei Skripal's front door, with the intention that he would touch the door handle and be killed by the poison.
"When they did that, they must have been aware that others might also touch the door handle, most obviously Sergei's daughter Yulia, who they knew was staying at the house at the time, but also any neighbour, visitor, delivery person or anybody else who might chance by."
Medical care received by Dawn Sturgess was 'entirely appropriate'
12:40 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe medical care that Dawn Sturgess received in the wake of the novichok attack was "entirely appropriate", the inquiry into her death has concluded.
The report said: “I am satisfied that Dawn Sturgess received entirely appropriate medical care – both from the ambulance staff who responded to the emergency call and from the hospital doctors.”
It added: “I am sure that no medical treatment could in fact have saved her life.”
Home secretary: Poisoning was attack on our country
12:30 , Athena StavrouHome secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Dawn Sturgess was an innocent victim of a reckless and callous act. My thoughts remain with her family and loved ones, and I hope the inquiry’s findings provide them with answers they deserve.
“The use of Novichok in Salisbury was an attack not just on individuals, but on our country and our values. It demonstrated the complete disregard the Russian state has for human life and international law.
“I am immensely grateful to all those who contributed their expertise, knowledge and experiences to the inquiry, and to Lord Hughes and his team for their thorough and meticulous work throughout.”
Russian attack showed no regard for the risk of 'death or serious injury to innocent people'
12:25 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The Russian Novichok attack showed no regard for the risk of “death or serious injury to an uncountable number of unconnected and innocent people”, Lord Hughes has said.
Giving a statement, the inquiry's chair said the GRU agents who carried out the attack “must have been aware that others might also touch the door handle - most obviously, Sergei's daughter Yulia, who they knew was staying In the house, but also any neighbour, visitor, delivery person, or anybody else who might chance by.”
He added: “I'm satisfied that Petrov and Boshirov brought with them to Salisbury the Nina Ricci bottle containing Novichok made in Russia that was subsequently responsible for Dawn Sturgess' death.
“It was probably this bottle that they used to apply the poison to Sergei Skripal's door handle. Then before leaving Salisbury, they recklessly discarded this bottle in some public or semi public place. They can simply have had no regard at all to the hazard this created of death or serious injury to an uncountable number of unconnected and innocent people.”
Starmer: Poisoning reminder of Putin's 'disregard for innocent lives'
12:21 , Athena StavrouThe prime minister has said the inquiry’s findings were a “grave reminder of the Kremlin’s disregard for innocent lives” as he announced sanctions on the Russian military intelligence agency responsible for the Novichok poisonings.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “The Salisbury poisonings shocked the nation and today’s findings are a grave reminder of the Kremlin’s disregard for innocent lives. Dawn’s needless death was a tragedy and will forever be a reminder of Russia’s reckless aggression. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones.
“The UK will always stand up to Putin’s brutal regime and call out his murderous machine for what it is. Today’s sanctions are the latest step in our unwavering defence of European security, as we continue to squeeze Russia’s finances and strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table.”
Novichok attack was a 'public statement' from Kremlin
12:18 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The Salisbury Novichok attack can be seen as a "public statement" from the Kremlin, the inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess has said.
The attack showed “considerable recklessness and indeed brazenness”, the report says, saying that the Russian agents who co-ordinated it did not care about the possible consequence that they might “injure or kill many others”.
“Greater recklessness lay in the willingness to abandon the remaining Novichok where it might cause uncontrolled collateral death or grave injury to people against whom, individually, the attackers could have entertained no malice", the report, authored by Lord Hughes, adds.
This, he said, means that “the likelihood of attribution to Russia was something which that state was willing to accept”.
The inquiry laid blame for the attack on President Putin, concluding that the attempted assassination of Mr Skripal was not "designed simply as revenge against him, but amounted to a public statement…that Russia will act decisively in what it regards as its own interests”.
Russian spy agency sanctioned in wake of inquiry
12:11 , Athena StavrouRussian military intelligence agency the GRU has been sanctioned in its entirety by the UK in the wake of the Sturgess inquiry report, the Foreign Office said.
Claims that GRU agents were in the UK to visit Salisbury Cathedral 'not credible', says inquiry chair
12:10 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Claims made to Russian state media that GRU agents Alexander Petrov, Ruslan Boshirov and Sergey Fedotov were only in the UK to visit Salisbury Cathedral are "not credible", Lord Hughes has said.
The chairman of the inquiry, which cost £8.3 million, said the three men were “acting on instructions” when they carried out the attack.
He also said there was a "clear causative link between the use and discarding of the Novichok by Petrov and Boshirov, and the death of Dawn Sturgess”, the inquiry's chair has said.
Dawn Sturgess was 'innocent victim of cruel and cynical acts of others', says inquiry chair
12:09 , Athena StavrouDawn Sturgess was the "innocent victim of the cruel and cynical acts of others", the chair of the inquiry into her death has said, condemning her death as "needless and arbitrary".
Giving a statement following the publication of the inquiry's report, Lord Hughes said: "Sturgess was a private person leading a private life in Salisbury, which was the city where she'd grown up.
"She had a partner, Charlie Rowley. She was the mother to three children. She was a sister and a daughter. Her life was not without its challenges, but she faced them with the support of those she loved.
"And her death was needless and arbitrary. She was the entirely innocent victim of the cruel and cynical acts of others. Dawn's family has responded to her death with dignity and clarity of purpose."
Inquiry avoids major criticism of British state
12:04 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Lord Hughes’ inquiry avoids major criticism of the British state in its handling of Sergei Skripal, arguing it was not reasonable to provide him with an entirely new identity in order to prevent an attack on him.
While Michael Mansfield KC, the barrister for Ms Sturgess’ family, suggested that the security services should have created an entirely new identity for Mr Skripal in order to protect him from attack, the inquiry concludes such a move would have only been reasonable “if the risk to him of assassination on UK soil stood at a high level, and it did not.”
However, the report does conclude that there were “failings in Sergei Skripal’s management as an exchanged prisoner; in particular, sufficient, regular written assessments were not concluded”.
But Lord Hughes adds that he does not think that the assessment that Mr Skripal was “not at sufficient risk of assassination by Russian personnel can be said to have been unreasonable, although, of course, events unhappily demonstrated that it was wrong.”
Putin ‘morally responsible’ for Novichok poisoning of Dawn Sturgess
12:02 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Vladimir Putin was “morally responsible” for the death of a 44-year-old woman who was poisoned by Russian nerve agent Novichok, an inquiry into her death has concluded.
The report concludes that the Russian state is to blame for the attack, partly because access to Novichok is “likely to be significantly restricted in Russia” and that “any activity which could give rise to international repercussions would necessitate senior oversight”.
“It is simply not likely that any step as serious as assassination on foreign soil would be undertaken without high-level authorisation”, said Lord Hughes.
“For these reasons I am sure that authorisation at a very high level must have ben given.“In the context of a state where executive power is heavily concentrated in the person of the President, an attempt on the life of Sergei Skripal would not have been made without the approval of the Russian President.”
The report concludes that all those involved in the assassination attempt were “morally responsible for Dawn Sturgess’ death”.
“Deploying a highly toxic nerve agent in a busy city was an astonishingly reckless act.
“The risk that others beyond the intended target, Sergei Skripal, might be killed or injured was entirely foreseeable. That risk was dramatically magnified by leaving in the city a bottle of the Novichok disguised as perfume.”
How was Dawn Sturgess killed in a Russian assassination plot?
11:57 , Athena StavrouDawn Sturgess, 44, was not the target of a Russian assassination plot - but became the only person to be killed by it.
In March 2018, former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned Salisbury by nerve agent Novichok, which had been smeared on his door handle.
They survived, but officials were concerned someone would pick up the discarded nerve agent the assassins may have left behind.
This is what happened in July 2018, when Ms Sturgess’ boyfriend, Charlie Rowley, unwittingly gave her a perfume bottle containing “enough poison to kill thousands of people”.
He had found what appeared to be an unopened gift box of Premier Jour Nina Ricci perfume and gave it to his girlfriend as a present.
He opened it for her and assembled the bottle but spilled the contents on his hands as he attached the nozzle.
Ms Sturgess sprayed the substance on her wrists and within 15 minutes told Mr Rowley she felt “very, very strange” before he found her lying in the bath, “convulsing and foaming at the mouth”.
Former chief medical officer had 'nightmares' someone would pick up Novichok bottle
11:47 , Athena StavrouDame Sally Davies, the former chief medical officer for England, told the inquiry she had nightmares about someone picking up the discarded nerve agent after the Skripals were poisoned.
“I remember worrying about it from the moment I knew that Russian agents had been involved, whenever that first was,” she said.
“I remember raising this during at least one meeting and becoming reassured, one, that the police were hunting for a discarded vial.
“This led to me later saying publicly that no-one should pick anything up which they had not dropped.”
Poisonings result of 'failure' of UK government, inquiry heard
11:41 , Athena StavrouIn closing submissions to the inquiry, Michael Mansfield KC, also representing Ms Sturgess’s family, said the poisonings were a result of an “abject failure” by the UK Government to protect the public.
He said the attack on the Skripals was “preventable” and that Russia had “alarming access” to where the former spy lived.
Mr Mansfield continued: “We say, the risk of a threat of this kind – that is, an attack on somebody such as Sergei Skripal as a target – was manifestly obvious.”
Has anyone been arrested for the poisonings?
11:35 , Athena StavrouAn international arrest warrant has been issued for three Russians thought to be involved in the attack.
Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov were charged with offences including conspiracy to murder.
Petrov’s real identity is believed to be Alexander Mishkin, who worked as a doctor for Russian military intelligence service the GRU, while Boshirov’s real identity is believed to be Anatoliy Vladimirovich Chepiga.
The two suspects gave an interview with Russian state media in which they said they were only in the UK, briefly, to visit Salisbury Cathedral.
Later, Investigators said they had sufficient evidence to charge a third man over the poisonings – Russian spy Denis Sergeev, also known as Sergey Fedotov.
But as the Russian constitution does not allow the extradition of its citizens it is unlikely they will ever stand trial.
Salisbury Novichok poisonings timeline: How Russian spy incident unfolded in 2018
11:23 , Athena StavrouSeven years after four people were poisoned in the city of Salisbury by a Russian nerve agent Novichok, a long-awaited report into the incident is finally due to be published.
Retired Supreme Court judge Lord Hughes of Ombersley is set to deliver his findings into the death of Dawn Sturgess, as well as the poisonings of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia and police officer Nick Bailey.
Here is a timeline of events:
Salisbury Novichok poisonings timeline: How Russian spy incident unfolded in 2018
What can we expect today?
11:21 , Athena StavrouThe Dawn Sturgess inquiry is set to publish its final report today.
It is expected to set out key findings deliver into the death of Ms Sturgess, as well as the poisonings of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia and police officer Nick Bailey.
Journalists have been looking at the report this morning, and we will be able to bring you its key findings from midday.
Following this, there will be a statement from the inquiry’s chair Lord Hughes.
Later in the day, other organisations such as the ambulance service and counter-terrorism police are expected to give statements.
Sturgess death followed attack on former Russian spy
11:14 , Athena StavrouDawn Sturgess, 44, died after being exposed to the chemical weapon which was left in a discarded perfume bottle in Amesbury, Wiltshire, in July 2018.
It followed the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia and then police officer Nick Bailey, who were poisoned in nearby Salisbury in March that year.
They were harmed when members of a Russian GRU military intelligence squad are believed to have smeared the nerve agent on Mr Skripal’s door handle.
All three survived, as did Ms Sturgess’s boyfriend Charlie Rowley, who had unwittingly given her the bottle containing “enough poison to kill thousands of people”.
In the months after he was poisoned, Mr Skripal told police he held Russian president Vladimir Putin responsible. He also believed that if he ever returned to Russia, Mr Putin would “get him”.
Dawn Sturgess inquiry set to publish findings
11:02 , Athena StavrouA public inquiry into the death of a woman who was poisoned by Russian nerve agent Novichok is set to be published today.
Dawn Sturgess, 44, died after being exposed to the chemical weapon which was left in a discarded perfume bottle in Amesbury, Wiltshire, in July 2018.
The then-home secretary Priti Patel ordered that the inquest into Ms Sturgess’s death be converted into a public inquiry in 2021.
The inquiry, which was chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Lord Hughes of Ombersley, held public hearings between October and December last year.
