Novichok was in a bottle of perfume, say victim’s family
THE brother of a Novichok poisoning victim has claimed the deadly nerve agent was contained in a perfume bottle.
Matthew Rowley said his brother Charlie told him he had picked it up before falling ill.
He said he had spoken to his brother on the telephone from his hospital bed, where he is in a serious but stable condition.
On Friday, investigators revealed they had located the source of the nerve agent in a ‘small bottle’ found at Charlie Rowley’s home.
They would not comment on claims it was a perfume bottle.
The discovery means police now have vital forensic evidence which may help identify those behind the attack.
Mr Rowley’s partner Dawn Sturgess, 44, died after the pair collapsed in Amesbury, Wiltshire, on June 30, having been exposed to the nerve agent.
The pair suddenly fell ill four months after the attempted assassination of Russian former double-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia – who were also poisoned by Novichok in nearby Salisbury.
Investigators have now recovered more than 400 ‘potentially contaminated’ exhibits in the search for those responsible.
The police operation has been described as ‘one of the most complex and difficult that UK policing has ever faced’.
Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the counter-terror chief, said: ‘The work being carried out is extremely important. Not only are we trying to solve an extremely serious crime that has been committed, but we’re also working to identify any potential outstanding risks to the public; all whilst ensuring that all those involved in the search process are not themselves exposed to any risk of contamination. ‘The scientists and forensic officers have all volunteered to be a part of the search teams, knowing that they are risking themselves to exposure to a deadly nerve agent. This shouldn’t be taken for granted and their bravery and dedication is remarkable.’
Routes in and out of the search sites are meticulously planned as each deployment has to be performed in such a way to ensure traces of the nerve agent are not inadvertently spread to other areas.
Protective equipment for each officer takes around 40 minutes to put on.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr Rowley said that Charlie was now able to eat solid food, but was ‘absolutely not the brother I know’.
‘Their bravery is remarkable’