Dawn Sturgess Inquiry
Said: Commons Chamber
Public Inquiry
The Dawn Sturgess Inquiry
Completed · Chair: Lord Hughes of Ombersley · Established March 2022 · Commissioned by Cabinet Office
Public inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess, who died in July 2018 after being exposed to the nerve agent Novichok in Amesbury, Wiltshire.
More about this inquiry
Public inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess, who died in July 2018 after being exposed to the nerve agent Novichok in Amesbury, Wiltshire. The poisoning was linked to the attempted assassination of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in nearby Salisbury.
Where it stands
Public hearings were held on 31 days between March 2022 and December 2024.
Dawn Sturgess Inquiry report was published on 4 December 2025.
The inquiry made no formal recommendations.
Reports
- Dawn Sturgess Inquiry report4 December 2025
Recent milestones
- Report Published4 December 2025
- Closed hearings completion confirmed17 February 2025
- Open hearings concluded2 December 2024
Costs
£8,030,881
Total reported cost to September 2025 Costs in detailParliament
1
mention in Parliament Parliamentary activityReports and timeline
Reports
Timeline
Inquiry Announced
Lord Hughes of Ombersley appointed Chair
Inquiry formally established
First Preliminary Hearing
The first preliminary hearing was held on 25 March 2022.
Public Hearings Begin
Public hearings commenced in Salisbury examining circumstances of the novichok poisoning.
Open hearings concluded
The open hearings concluded after evidence in Salisbury and London. Closed hearings with oral evidence followed; the Inquiry later confirmed their conclusion, but the exact last closed sitting date was not published.
Closed hearings completion confirmed
The Inquiry notified participants that the closed hearings had concluded. This records the confirmation date, not an asserted last sitting date.
Report Published
Inquiry report published, concluding Putin bears "moral responsibility" for Dawn Sturgess's death.
Costs
| Period | Total | Inquiry legal | CP legal | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | £589,227 | Not reported | Not reported | Dawn Sturgess Inquiry Financial Report - April 2025 – September 2025 Source and qualificationsAccounting period: 1 Apr 2025 to 30 Sep 2025. Dawn Sturgess Inquiry Financial Report - April 2025 – September 2025 |
| Sep 2025 (cum.) | £8,030,881 | Not reported | Not reported | Dawn Sturgess Inquiry Financial Report - April 2025 – September 2025 (Total to Date / cumulative lifetime costs) Source and qualificationsAccounting period: start not stated; to 30 Sep 2025. |
Dawn Sturgess Inquiry Financial Report - April 2025 – September 2025 (Total to Date / cumulative lifetime costs)
Source and qualifications
Accounting period: start not stated; to 30 Sep 2025.
Detailed cost breakdown · to Sep 2025
Parliamentary activity
1 debate
Recommendation tracking
Report published December 2025 with no formal recommendations. The inquiry chair concluded that making recommendations was not within the inquiry's remit. Family and campaigners criticised this decision.
Key facts
Duration: 3 years, 8 months
Total reported cost: £8m