Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Dawn Sturgess Inquiry 2025-12-04

04 December 2025 · 14 other contributors

Opened by The Minister for Security Dan Jarvis

UkraineDefenceForeign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

The Minister for Security raised concerns about dawn sturgess inquiry 2025-12-04 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister announces publication of the Dawn Sturgess inquiry report.
  • Honours Dawn Sturgess and those affected by her death.
  • Inquiry found GRU agents morally responsible.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

The Minister for Security

Today, the minister announces the publication of the Dawn Sturgess inquiry report. He starts by honouring Dawn Sturgess and those affected by her death. The Skripals were targeted by GRU agents who contaminated Sergei’s house door handle with Novichok, leading to their poisoning and harming others like Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. On 30 June 2018, Charlie Rowley gave Dawn a perfume bottle containing Novichok, causing her death on 8 July 2018. The inquiry found GRU agents morally responsible for Dawn’s death due to the reckless deployment of Novichok in a busy city. The chair concludes that President Putin signed off the assassination attempt against Sergei Skripal. In response to Russia's threats, the UK expelled 23 Russian intelligence officers and others from over 28 countries followed suit. Since then, the UK has committed £21.8 billion for Ukraine and sanctioned over 2,900 individuals/entities. The UK also enhanced defences against state threats and increased security checks on goods from Russia. Following an arson attack in east London, the UK expelled the Russian defence attaché and removed diplomatic status from Russian properties. The minister announces further sanctions under the Russia sanctions regime targeting GRU officers involved in hostile activity across Europe and summoning the Russian ambassador to hold Russia accountable for Dawn's death.

Other contributors (14)
  • Chris Philp Con Croydon South

    Question

    I thank the Security Minister for advance sight of his statement. Let me set out straightaway that the Opposition of course fully support the Government’s work in keeping our country safe.

  • Dan Jarvis Lab Shadow Home Secretary

    Question

    The shadow Home Secretary accurately characterised the nature of the threat from Russia and emphasises the need for a proactive approach to national security, questioning why China is not in the enhanced tier of FIRS.

    Minister reply

    I acknowledge the points raised by the shadow Home Secretary. The Government continues to review FIRS closely and will provide more information on this matter in due course.

  • Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington

    Question

    My thoughts are with Dawn Sturgess’s family. Given Putin's disregard for life, how can the Minister confirm that all Departments across Government are working to assure British public safety?

    Minister reply

    We take national security threats incredibly seriously and have acted decisively by introducing tougher legislation, enforcing sanctions, and working closely with international partners to make the UK one of the most challenging environments for adversaries.

  • Will Forster LD Woking

    Question

    The report into the tragic killing of Dawn Sturgess found Vladimir Putin responsible. Why did MI5 fail to implement basic protective measures, and what accountability measures will be taken to ensure future protection?

    Minister reply

    We take security responsibilities very seriously and review the details carefully. The inquiry states that responsibility lies with the Russian state. We are considering confiscating sovereign Russian assets in line with international law and economically responsibly.

  • Dan Jarvis MP

    Question

    Responded to his own statement, acknowledging the seriousness of the threat and expressing the need for continued vigilance and measures against Russia's actions. Emphasised the importance of addressing misinformation.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledged the wake-up call due to a British citizen dying from Russian attack on UK soil.

  • John Glen Con Salisbury

    Question

    Thanked the Minister for his statement and highlighted the need for clarity regarding responsibility for the 2018 Salisbury attack, emphasising President Putin's role. Acknowledged the impact of the incident on local communities, including victims Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley.

    Minister reply

    Commended Mr Glen's service to Salisbury and assured him that the Government will pursue further measures against Russia in response to such attacks.

  • Sean Woodcock Lab Banbury

    Question

    Called the attack on Dawn Sturgess a heinous crime for which Putin is responsible, urging the Minister to honour her memory by ensuring that Putin never escapes responsibility.

    Minister reply

    Agreed with Mr Woodcock's stance and emphasised the need to ensure that such an attack could never happen again.

  • Danny Kruger Reform East Wiltshire

    Question

    Welcomed additional sanctions and raised concerns about public safety response in case of future crises, specifically asking if the Government is looking at general public safety measures for such events.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledged Mr Kruger's sensible point regarding NHS immediate response and assured that government resilience exercises are being conducted across departments.

  • Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin

    Question

    Noted the high number of Russian spies in UK since the cold war and asked what more can be done to make a hard operating environment for both GRU, FSB and SVR. Also raised concerns about political dissidents' safety in the UK.

    Minister reply

    Emphasised ongoing work with allies against malign states using criminal proxies and assured that security mechanisms are in place for dissidents.

  • Dan Jarvis Lab MP

    Question

    I am grateful to the hon. Member for his comments, and I can give him the assurances that he seeks. As he will acknowledge, the report was published less than a couple of hours ago, but the Government will look very carefully at its findings. We value our relationships with our neighbours, EU partners and Five Eyes colleagues.

    Minister reply

    The right hon. Gentleman knows the very high regard in which I hold him. He has asked me some important questions, but they are not necessarily questions that it would be in the interests of our national security for me to get into in any great detail.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Question

    Have the Government formed a view as to why President Putin—the killer in the Kremlin—chose to target Sergei Skripal after he had been pardoned and exchanged?

    Minister reply

    The right hon. Gentleman knows the very high regard in which I hold him. He has asked me some important questions, but they are not necessarily questions that it would be in the interests of our national security for me to get into in any great detail.

  • Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire

    Question

    To the extent that he is able, can the Minister please explain what steps he is taking to secure UK commercial ports, given recent reports of individuals with links to the Russian military entering via those routes?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Lady raises an entirely reasonable point. She will understand that I will not want to get too much into the detail of that. We look at these matters carefully, and we work across Government and with law enforcement and the intelligence agencies on them.

  • Robin Swann UUP South Antrim

    Question

    The Minister has rightly referred to working with EU and international partners. May I seek an assurance that he is also working with the Irish Government and Irish security forces to ensure that the Republic of Ireland does not become a soft way into Northern Ireland and, indeed, the rest of the United Kingdom?

    Minister reply

    That is an entirely reasonable challenge, and I can give the hon. Gentleman the assurances that he seeks.

Shadow Comment

Chris Philp

The shadow Home Secretary supports the Government’s work in keeping the country safe, agreeing with everything the minister said. He welcomes additional sanctions announced on certain members of Russian security services and pays tribute to Dawn Sturgess, acknowledging GRU agents’ reckless act as lying Novichok around. Chris Philp also honours Sergei and Yulia Skripal for their bravery in facing targeting by Russian state agents. He praises the emergency and security services for responding bravely despite harm suffered. The inquiry concluded that President Putin sanctioned the assassination of civilians on British soil, making Russia a dangerous hostile state under Vladimir Putin's leadership. Philp highlights atrocities committed by Russia domestically and internationally, including Alexei Navalny’s murder, airliner shootings, chemical weapon use in Syria, and interference across Africa. He emphasises the importance of steadfast support for Ukraine to avoid appeasement that emboldens aggressive dictators.

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