On 18 November 2021, the Home Secretary announced the Government’s decision to establish an inquiry to investigate the death of Dawn Sturgess.
Dawn Sturgess was pronounced dead at Salisbury District Hospital on 8 July 2018. The post-mortem indicated the cause of her death was Novichok poisoning.
The inquiry was formally established on 17 March 2022.
Today (4 December) the Chair of the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry, The Rt Hon Lord Hughes of Ombersley, published his inquiry report.
Following the publication, Counter Terrorism Policing released the below statement:
Statement from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing:
“The inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess has been a lengthy and highly complex legal process, but at the heart of these proceedings has been a family, wanting to understand what led to the death of someone they loved.
“Today, they and everyone who cared about Dawn, are at the forefront of our minds. I would like to acknowledge the strength, dignity and patience they have shown throughout the public inquiry.
“I would also like to recognise the work of the Chair – Lord Hughes and his team – and thank them for their diligence in analysing and understanding the details of this awful incident.
“Counter Terrorism Policing, like all of those engaged in this inquiry, is fully committed to improving and enhancing our response to threats to the public and national security. We will take time to reflect on the inquiry report and findings.
“Much of this work has already been done, and our operational capability is stronger now than it was in 2018.
“We have spoken a great deal about the growing threat posed by state actors, and our work to tackle what can often feel like dangers that are very far away from ordinary life.
“Dawn’s tragic death and today’s findings are a reminder of the personal and human cost of such national security threats, and we and our partners will do all we can to maintain and strengthen our response.”