The public inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess from Novichok poisoning resumes in London on Monday 28 October, having begun on 14 October in Salisbury. Gideon Barth and Alasdair Henderson are instructed for Core Participants in the Inquiry, which is being chaired by the Rt Hon Lord Hughes of Ombersley, a former Justice of the Supreme Court.
Dawn Sturgess’ death in July 2018 in Amesbury was caused by Novichok, a chemical weapon. It followed the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in March 2018. Three individuals, identified as members of the Russian intelligence agency, the GRU, have been charged with the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and other offences.
The Inquiry was established in 2021 having been converted from an inquest. The inquest was not able to consider sensitive information including the issue of Russian state responsibility and scrutiny of the UK’s national security and counter-terrorism operations and investigations, but the Inquiry will be able to do so.
The Inquiry is scheduled to hear evidence until the beginning of December.
Alasdair Henderson is part of the team representing His Majesty’s Government.
Gideon Barth is part of the team representing the Metropolitan Police’s Counter-Terrorism Command.
