A former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, was captured on CCTV handing bread to children to feed ducks in Salisbury, Wilts, shortly before he and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with a lethal nerve agent known as novichok. The incident took place on March 4, 2018, near the location where the Skripals were later found unconscious on a bench.
The footage, featured in the upcoming Channel 4 documentary “Salisbury Poisonings: The Untold Story,” shows the Skripals leaving their house, where novichok had been placed on the front door handle, and then engaging in various activities in Salisbury, including interacting with the child and sharing bread with him to feed the ducks, visiting a pub, and dining at a restaurant.
Concerns arose about potential contamination spreading to others who were in close proximity to the Skripals. Tracy Daszkiewicz, the former Wiltshire director of public health, expressed worries about the risks posed to individuals who might have encountered the poisoned pair, emphasizing the urgency to locate and assess those who may have been affected.
Although the child and two others who interacted with Skripal reported feeling unwell following the incident, subsequent tests did not detect any traces of the deadly nerve agent in their systems. The investigation into the Russian attack also revealed the involvement of Dawn Sturgess, a British woman who tragically died from exposure to the same poison.
The televised series delves into the poisoning of Skripal and Yulia, shedding light on the events that unfolded, including the contamination of Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was severely affected after touching the Skripals’ door handle. The program also highlights the emotional toll on law enforcement officials involved in the case, such as Detective Inspector Ben Mant, who expressed a sense of responsibility for the consequences of the operation.
Efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice have been complicated by Russia’s refusal to extradite three Russian agents believed to be involved in the attack. Despite global warrants issued for their arrests, the suspects remain at large. Additionally, disturbing remarks made by a senior civil servant in response to Dawn Sturgess’s death have sparked outrage among law enforcement officials, including former Counter Terrorism Police chief Neil Basu, who condemned the insensitive comments.
The documentary “Salisbury Poisonings: The Untold Story” is scheduled to air on Wednesday, April 29, at 9pm on Channel 4.
