Former counter-terrorism chief Neil Basu has expressed his first impressions on the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia as a possible “act of war.” Salisbury in March 2018 saw the duo poisoned with the lethal nerve toxin Novichok, an incident that stunned the globe and begged grave concerns over world safety.
What Is the Horror of Novichok?
Basu considered the “true horror” of Novichok, a chemical weapon, “colourless and odourless.” Saying, “To leave that lying around anywhere on foreign soil is the most unbelievable reckless disregard for human life I’ve ever witnessed,” he underlined the challenge of alerting the public about such a deadly drug.
Sadly, just four months later, Dawn Sturgess, 44, died unexpectedly from unintentional Novichok exposure eight miles away in Amesbury, Wiltshire. The poison was hidden within a perfume bottle that she had been given and had enough of the lethal element to kill thousands of people.
What Evidence Indicates a Targeted Attack?
Later, authorities found evidence of Novichok on Mr. Skripal’s house’s doorknob, which led investigators to conclude it was placed as part of a “targeted” attack. Two men thought to be members of Russia’s military intelligence service were declared suspects for the attempted murders in September 2018; a third suspect was added in 2021. Both the Russian government and the suspects have constantly denied any role in the attack.
Why Was the Counter-Terrorism Team on High Alert?
Basu and his whole counter-terrorism team were under great alert after the Skripals came into contact with the nerve toxin. He described his first worries: “One of the things I was wondering, is this war? You know, is this a warlike act? You conceive of a “weapon of mass destruction” as an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear-tipped warhead. You hardly consider it to be in a perfume trial bottle. What we were seeking eluded us.
Concerned about the possible repercussions of the incident, he voiced worries about guests of the restaurant where the Skripals were poisoned, perhaps ending up hospitalised without any efficient treatment available.
How Heavy Was the Weight of Responsibility?
The matter got much more severe when word of Ms. Sturgess’s death leaked out. “It became infinitely more serious since it was now the murder of a British citizen,” Basu said, characterising the change in gravity. He said the weight of the responsibility he felt was “incredibly hard to bear.”
“There was no way of giving Amesbury people 100% comfort; I had to attend the community meeting and explain if they could feel secure that they wouldn’t be the next victim. From the look on their faces, I knew they were terrified.
“One of my responsibilities in charge of counter-terrorism was trying to reduce the fear of it, not just the effect of it,” Basu said, acknowledging the difficulties of keeping public trust while managing anxiety. But how can we reassure people without inciting mass hysteria?
What Precautionary Measures Were Taken?
Following Ms. Sturgess’s death, Public Health England (PHE) published preventative advice responding to the escalating problem, warning the public, “If you didn’t drop it, then don’t pick it up.” When Basu considered the timing of this advice, he felt sadness that it had not been shared sooner to stop an innocent citizen from dying.
How Did Basu Come to Terms with Failure?
Basu considered the challenging reality of his involvement in national security and said, “People will die on your watch. The fact of spending time in national security at any level is that. You have to strive to achieve justice for the departed and stop it from ever happening once more.
The terrible truth he revealed was: “42 innocent persons were slaughtered on my watch by the time I resigned. I would much rather it had not been a single one. I would reply zero if you asked me to score my performance; I have spent much time trying to accept this.
What Is the Current Status of the Investigation?
Nobody has been charged for Dawn Sturgess’s murder thus far, but in September 2021, an arrest warrant was issued for the suspects in the poisonings of the Skripals. But the Russian constitution forbids the extraditing of its citizens. Hence, the suspects cannot be formally indicted unless they leave the nation.
“If you ask for my professional hunch,” Basu said, “I think we have the murder weapon and the murderers.” I will have someone arrest them as they walk one foot off the jet.
Are There Ongoing Concerns About Novichok?
Basu still worries about the likelihood of further Novichok going unreported. He related a pivotal event in the early days of the investigation when Ms. Sturgess’s companion, Charlie Rowley, detailed how he had to cut into packaging with a knife to get the perfume bottle he later gave her.
Basu said, “But the reality is, we didn’t know whether it was the only one. Initially, we didn’t know what it contained either. We were unsure of their country of arrival. Furthermore, we have no idea how Charlie Rowley picked it up. Hence, we also have no idea where he disposed of it. Also, he does not. And you know, lad. Poor man. I mean, I never would have thought he would.
