Murder probe launched as poisoning victim dies
ONE of the two people who were critically ill after being exposed to a nerve agent has died – and a murder probe has now been launched.
Last night, Scotland Yard said Dawn Sturgess, 44, had died after being exposed to Novichok in Amesbury, Wiltshire.
Her partner, Charlie Rowley, 45, remains critically ill in hospital.
Prime Minister Theresa May said she was “appalled and shocked” by the death of Ms Sturgess.
She said: “My thoughts and condolences go to her family and loved ones.
“Police and security officials are working urgently to establish the facts of this incident, which is now being investigated as a murder.
“The Government is committed to providing full support to the local community as it deals with this tragedy.”
In a statement, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the head of UK Counter Terrorism policing, said: “This is shocking and tragic news.
“Dawn leaves behind her family, including three children, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this extremely difficult time.
“The 45-year-old man who fell ill with Dawn remains critically ill in hospital and our thoughts are with him and his family as well.
“This terrible news has only served to strengthen our resolve to identify and bring to justice the person or persons responsible for what I can only describe as an outrageous, reckless and barbaric act.
“Detectives will continue with their painstaking and meticulous work to gather all the available evidence so that we can understand how two citizens came to be exposed with such a deadly substance that tragically cost Dawn her life.
“Dawn’s family has asked the media to kindly respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
The news comes after Home Secretary Sajid Javid said there were “no current plans” to impose fresh sanctions on Russia, despite accusing the country of using Britain as a “dumping ground” for poison.
During a brief tour of Amesbury Mr Javid said he would not “jump to conclusions” over the latest attack.
It comes four months after former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia fell ill after being exposed to Novichok in nearby Salisbury.
Police have yet to identify any individuals responsible for the poisoning, and are working to establish how the pair came into contact with the nerve agent.
Mr Javid told the Press Association: “Clearly what we have already determined, what our expert scientists have determined, is that the nerve agent in this incident is the exact same nerve agent as was used back in March (when the Skripals were poisoned).
“We know back in March that was the Russians. We know it was a barbaric inhuman act by the Russian state. Again for this particular incident we need to learn more and let the police do their work.”
Asked if secrecy had been prioritised over public safety, Mr Javid said: “No, I think the advice both from the first incident and now was absolutely correct.
“There is no evidence at this point that the two individuals hurt by this incident visited any of the areas that the Skripals visited.
“That said, I think everyone would want to listen to the advice of the professionals and make sure we take some precautions.”
Mr Javid, who visited the site for around 25 minutes in total, met Angus Macpherson, the Conservative police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire and Kier Pritchard, the Wiltshire police chief constable.
He also briefly met some residents inside the police cordon, but others said they were disappointed he did not talk to them.
Last night it was confirmed a police officer who attended hospital over concerns he may have been exposed to Novichok has been given the all-clear.
Forensic investigators are continuing to comb for clues in Wiltshire after the latest Novichok poisonings.