Novichok survivor is out of coma – but police say crisis could last 50 years

THE partner of the woman murdered by Novichok has regained consciousness, doctors said yesterday.

Charlie Rowley, 45, is still critically ill but his condition has improved significantly.

His partner, Dawn Sturgess, 44, died from exposure to the Russian-made nerve agent.

The pair became ill in Amesbury, Wiltshire, on June 30 and were admitted to Salisbury hospital, where Mrs Sturgess died on Sunday evening.

Neil Basu, head of counter-terrorism policing, said they were poisoned after opening a container of liquid.

‘These are two of the unluckiest people ever,’ He said. ‘This is murder, you know it’s murder, and I don’t need to tell my detectives that to stiffen their resolve to get this solved.’ Scientists have told Mr Basu’s officers that Novichok could last 50 years in a sealed container.

The police chief said no forensic link had been established to the batch that poisoned former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in March.

But he said it was ‘implausible’ there was no connection and he hoped Mr Rowley would be able to say where he and Mrs Sturgess found the container. Detectives are at the hospital waiting to speak to him.

Hospital spokesman Lorna Wilkinson warned last night that Mr Rowley was not yet out of danger.

‘We have seen a small but significant improvement in his condition,’ she said. ‘He is in a critical but stable condition, and is now conscious. While this is welcome news, clearly we are not out of the woods yet. ‘Charlie is still very unwell and will continue to require specialist, round-the-clock care.’

Parents living near the Novichok poisonings were warned yesterday to ensure their children do not pick up unknown objects.

Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer for England, said: ‘I want to emphasise to everyone in the Salisbury and Amesbury area that nobody, adult or child, should pick up any foreign object which could contain liquid or gel.

‘Do not pick up containers, syringes, needles, cosmetics or similar objects, made of materials such as metal, plastic or glass.’

Meanwhile, a distillery has apologised after developing a 75 per cent proof vodka named after Novichok. Bristol Dry Gin had advertised the product on Facebook.